tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312316972024-03-19T12:05:30.611+08:00Shooting Churches, Eating Noodles (Year XVII)Tales from the Pulpit and Variations of PansitShubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.comBlogger1029125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-38442567722038032622024-03-18T09:53:00.004+08:002024-03-18T09:55:20.865+08:00THE FIRST INTERVIEW<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">"<i>What's up</i>?" I was asked.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">"<i>A monumental ASEAN declaration will liberate the slaves of unpaid care and domestic work, a breakthrough MOU will propel a just energy transition, and economic justice will be evaluated and shall prevail</i>" I courageously responded.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">"<i>So what's going on</i>?" was the follow up question.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">"<i>I was examined and interviewed virtually but an unexpected call from Islamabad told me that a waiver from New Delhi will ensure support for Vientiane in lieu of the Climate Justice Manager in Manila</i>" I explained pessimistically.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4RB-LerMHLeVNjraQ605yRJfBEJIq-sKrYYXwlO6rbdpdrkOXewp4eqW4-aVJi_2OfqsG1EGpFOtidYzfg4paWAgN3O0YIndzUr7CHyAEhZJJZ5E4MnQAVALp-iLVnJz009GHzP98nRbwTDJ1rDEWlbb-3-NqjUe_bHLIuFkUdvsDdnrEyR4Eg/s2356/20240315_180621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="2356" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4RB-LerMHLeVNjraQ605yRJfBEJIq-sKrYYXwlO6rbdpdrkOXewp4eqW4-aVJi_2OfqsG1EGpFOtidYzfg4paWAgN3O0YIndzUr7CHyAEhZJJZ5E4MnQAVALp-iLVnJz009GHzP98nRbwTDJ1rDEWlbb-3-NqjUe_bHLIuFkUdvsDdnrEyR4Eg/w640-h452/20240315_180621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">I was next quizzed why the Thursday Group have to convene on Wednesday and Saturday, how a platter of <i>tokwa't baboy</i> turned out to be more tofu that was reheated as pork <i>adobo</i> for bingo night, and my intention on taking the bus via Aliaga instead of attending NS4's mini-reunion in Cabanatuan. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WepEhbICEl92K_FA0TsNoMRht902Ms-RDhIi-nXKyy7RQ3okvwm8-u7qzbOxCtQIrUVPoZp-MYqx0m_cE-hxx3JLROlhN-XFL0RT6F04gUPY09d7_HxD3VGKBZTpY2GYJb6DlBSBCMiXbXcl-U6WQcPMiu9hjZWM9Q77qTL3qglYWsbc8Qzrzg/s3936/20240315_143618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2199" data-original-width="3936" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WepEhbICEl92K_FA0TsNoMRht902Ms-RDhIi-nXKyy7RQ3okvwm8-u7qzbOxCtQIrUVPoZp-MYqx0m_cE-hxx3JLROlhN-XFL0RT6F04gUPY09d7_HxD3VGKBZTpY2GYJb6DlBSBCMiXbXcl-U6WQcPMiu9hjZWM9Q77qTL3qglYWsbc8Qzrzg/w640-h358/20240315_143618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">That's because there were no meetings on Thursday is what I told them, which is market day for an empty icebox that finally got my dirty motorbike washed while updating three nearly dormant bank acounts and securing an appointment for a dental prophylaxis.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Furthermore, I don't like crowds so </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">we moved to a table where the MILF of Bakal 2 left her scent and had our own Barangay Night with a can of luncheon meat that tasted like red onions because four biking days is almost good as a week of exploring a brand new trail... </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84eDM7LTq0JGFE1be4_w95mrtw5R-42A_dx1A7SonoRAM0oJMOTGuZUit0KCu_HYiTzSJbEIKRvdHTTb_UbQl-zBovowigUAkNzIo5U9lbUh2najhaNW5g0GeSb1B6_7crU_kvbjojgvhQ4lGO1OjEMJY-BMECDg72YnTNUkMX_zi9UCKB-J0Mw/s1800/MixCollage-17-Mar-2024-03-08-PM-686.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84eDM7LTq0JGFE1be4_w95mrtw5R-42A_dx1A7SonoRAM0oJMOTGuZUit0KCu_HYiTzSJbEIKRvdHTTb_UbQl-zBovowigUAkNzIo5U9lbUh2najhaNW5g0GeSb1B6_7crU_kvbjojgvhQ4lGO1OjEMJY-BMECDg72YnTNUkMX_zi9UCKB-J0Mw/w512-h640/MixCollage-17-Mar-2024-03-08-PM-686.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-75212535964219823962024-03-11T05:43:00.003+08:002024-03-11T05:45:29.494+08:00JALAN SABANG<span style="font-size: large;">The reasons why I lobbied to stay at <a href="https://all.accor.com/hotel/9414/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps">Mercure Jakarta Sabang</a> are to:<br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">claim a repaired watch and trade a bag of oversized red onions for a TV remote control in Ortigas;</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">soothe a loose bowel with a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Nagi-Izakaya-100083408793509/">Nagi Izakaya</a> ramen brunch and high ball, a dose of Mabuhay Lounge wine and a measure of PAGGS Premium Lounge beer;</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">dispose two oversized underwears and four unwanted shirts;</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">splurge on Lamongan's <i>sate kambing </i>and Restoran Garuda's <i>padang</i> spread.</span></li></ul></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug_G_cQxSms_IB1NhIPIwXQM4RWKsq_adZ_zRugLKYOCk0UlAcvVNjGsaRCS6bZqQoftOxDuKWCxArkWQY_X_uYPhtKX5emLqSGaU6mat7CzOY7c4K1RUNhhAbr6ocS43yXTAg3pu_r9-bjMxXY07d22LsGCCX9oUhwocvEiEwV7h_KTy59QcLg/s3000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug_G_cQxSms_IB1NhIPIwXQM4RWKsq_adZ_zRugLKYOCk0UlAcvVNjGsaRCS6bZqQoftOxDuKWCxArkWQY_X_uYPhtKX5emLqSGaU6mat7CzOY7c4K1RUNhhAbr6ocS43yXTAg3pu_r9-bjMxXY07d22LsGCCX9oUhwocvEiEwV7h_KTy59QcLg/w640-h320/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN970brL-MUUdrlWLJAZD5dYM2KSIF707eOZGkZ44H2q3BM67A7xioE-bOE1AUYPq8MqvVCSbekbEOavhisATEpNteIlhoEmOJqCzJfv1WsWVMeZbrBHkIvTIIyYZaIiXBUMOZ4DX4PLF_4qdc8BzXO_LIc5u2YBdD-DihsA6Uu9BsCC_pnKhsMg/s3508/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN970brL-MUUdrlWLJAZD5dYM2KSIF707eOZGkZ44H2q3BM67A7xioE-bOE1AUYPq8MqvVCSbekbEOavhisATEpNteIlhoEmOJqCzJfv1WsWVMeZbrBHkIvTIIyYZaIiXBUMOZ4DX4PLF_4qdc8BzXO_LIc5u2YBdD-DihsA6Uu9BsCC_pnKhsMg/w640-h452/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Such are the perks of my impending departure --- to be feted by an all-women plane crew to a first ride in an electric taxi and not lose a phone, to be able to meet with <a href="https://www.oxfam.org.au/">Melbourne</a> from the backseat of a <a href="https://www.bluebirdgroup.com/product/taxi-service?lang=en">Bluebird</a>, <a href="https://aseanenergy.org/">ACE</a> a lunch of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayam_bakar">ayam bakar</a> and convene the PMT at a hidden sanctuary for Italian junk food. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi2w3v5TWLMEe-U9sJRO2nopTeSvUQxTv3mxhi5LmkTdSb-lRFJRZ2y_psGM6_xq7YMG_wpcN0CuscR6fDD2pZG1KtjU2cR5Gw2RntIF1pPCCJb0h4ohhnpXpSDuataZdruOLOsPPRHGbdTA73u_Bt3BOmtcFcPPhIM0XQTV6d9a3YTHV8pPd8w/s3508/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi2w3v5TWLMEe-U9sJRO2nopTeSvUQxTv3mxhi5LmkTdSb-lRFJRZ2y_psGM6_xq7YMG_wpcN0CuscR6fDD2pZG1KtjU2cR5Gw2RntIF1pPCCJb0h4ohhnpXpSDuataZdruOLOsPPRHGbdTA73u_Bt3BOmtcFcPPhIM0XQTV6d9a3YTHV8pPd8w/w640-h452/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmprdl6RCYKKQNCSQeR_dF_Sz-DVe-VaiEkh9htZwebt1fre_VjGNMMbDxh9h050IUL1gF4qShs2lhCRsAMcTzhHgRMuGo1kG8tJt4U-4-yp8Xm3Ovbs9lu3G4G-6NdYHGkQOH1ctdhbZbkcMcatkjWuz8nRODvyLQmu5U3XsKnrpMEEo_mWx1w/s3000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmprdl6RCYKKQNCSQeR_dF_Sz-DVe-VaiEkh9htZwebt1fre_VjGNMMbDxh9h050IUL1gF4qShs2lhCRsAMcTzhHgRMuGo1kG8tJt4U-4-yp8Xm3Ovbs9lu3G4G-6NdYHGkQOH1ctdhbZbkcMcatkjWuz8nRODvyLQmu5U3XsKnrpMEEo_mWx1w/w640-h320/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">But there's a short list so I wonder if the durian at Jalan Sabang will taste the same in Bangkok after the Ides of March, or if the feeler for a possible role as the 4th Beatle will pay for the beer tower at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pennylane.menteng/">Penny Lane</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJB6FNLeXImf-mft8cECM5V6HtaguR12NumoczLx0VKNA1vVs9NRqDb4baSVCkmz-OXOM1U0HRExJV8W_AR8wMLwCiLC_IF8l4xeO_-72ipISvbFLycb8Ck7aD-L8ZGWvWfiMeuRHylGdbJJHl_ttN2hyaOmmDUNVwztzd8WbdxmadRNWdXM7Kw/s3000/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJB6FNLeXImf-mft8cECM5V6HtaguR12NumoczLx0VKNA1vVs9NRqDb4baSVCkmz-OXOM1U0HRExJV8W_AR8wMLwCiLC_IF8l4xeO_-72ipISvbFLycb8Ck7aD-L8ZGWvWfiMeuRHylGdbJJHl_ttN2hyaOmmDUNVwztzd8WbdxmadRNWdXM7Kw/w640-h320/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">It will be open season once <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_31">St. Benjamin</a> passes through with nothing confirmed by the ASEAN Secretariat until the last day so in the last hour, we crawled through Jalan Sabang then swam in a savory bowl of hot noodle-less <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakso">bakso</a> from East Java, gorged on three shapes of tasteless <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pempek">pempek</a> from Sumatra, and had a mini PMU meeting over 10 skewers of delectable <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sate_kambing">sate kambing</a> from the only street stall that serves cold Bintang beer.</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbubO17zP8Xv87JCQlHtbXc4jaapmbxXkyJfa5Z7-HRufbl-xsx1hDFgYO5z2pobWR8aLbuhKsqryZMifQ_rTTSGAYfzwBr5Fd_N28525-ZqODxz8NnUoj5fW25mzf_46kFcZGB7gi3krwZYSgIC4-6WEHvQB3oK3262tX1zOnEVKlC5GSzCapuQ/s2560/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbubO17zP8Xv87JCQlHtbXc4jaapmbxXkyJfa5Z7-HRufbl-xsx1hDFgYO5z2pobWR8aLbuhKsqryZMifQ_rTTSGAYfzwBr5Fd_N28525-ZqODxz8NnUoj5fW25mzf_46kFcZGB7gi3krwZYSgIC4-6WEHvQB3oK3262tX1zOnEVKlC5GSzCapuQ/w640-h360/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe that's why I forgot that there's a TV remote in the hotel safety deposit box that I was suppose to bring home to Bakal 2 and perhaps the reason why the beer got warm at Garuda Lounge and the wine from PR 536 tasted like vinegar, not enough to fuel my daily grind of at least 20 kilometers for the last two days of the week...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DTJuH6uqX8iAPQraC2TpynCXXNFeWCbifKHBPf4MLl7aWFEDbiT4oG6HVczhv9l8Mes_O1O7ug16MU2O_HtMsn1NtzMefFVoOMeOWq1zhkClnafljhYZFZAWR1LpvlN1oyOqmpbcaFYJEj9jffE3FKONL8rcogIh7WmNbtGhunNV0gt2vslbSw/s3000/MixCollage-11-Mar-2024-05-01-AM-7165.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DTJuH6uqX8iAPQraC2TpynCXXNFeWCbifKHBPf4MLl7aWFEDbiT4oG6HVczhv9l8Mes_O1O7ug16MU2O_HtMsn1NtzMefFVoOMeOWq1zhkClnafljhYZFZAWR1LpvlN1oyOqmpbcaFYJEj9jffE3FKONL8rcogIh7WmNbtGhunNV0gt2vslbSw/w480-h640/MixCollage-11-Mar-2024-05-01-AM-7165.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-23774084215379632212024-03-04T17:21:00.012+08:002024-03-05T08:40:41.676+08:00THE WISDOM OF A SECOND SUBMISSION <p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In the East hangs "G", the wisdom behind the first Saturday meetings that led to Morocco's proclamation of its 3rd installation rites in San Nicolas a month after the 17th of such ceremony was held for the opening of Maria Montessori's first school in Baloc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Those were my two submissions to 8 episodes on the reception of dignitaries, a farce show of pomp and ceremony for those who pretend to be very reverent like Benedict XVI's resigned <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keys_of_Heaven">crossed keys</a> that unlocked a second submission on <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope">St. Hilary</a>'s feast day. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXoB-NN9osRTNSrfipu3vh1cufeWyyY2QjdlTyAbdDgjcgWjfYNRNLGVjLmLuGPorPvRi_rUb1uUOeM4XJZlokNCWwGu_de29AsoAMWmiL-rIrp4J5DT9e-LdBxn-AGF0pDvS_AP2q70kHsT7gSo-CY1l9BgyYZ-F5Kqins2oQoLIMqFy9e3yGw/s3508/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXoB-NN9osRTNSrfipu3vh1cufeWyyY2QjdlTyAbdDgjcgWjfYNRNLGVjLmLuGPorPvRi_rUb1uUOeM4XJZlokNCWwGu_de29AsoAMWmiL-rIrp4J5DT9e-LdBxn-AGF0pDvS_AP2q70kHsT7gSo-CY1l9BgyYZ-F5Kqins2oQoLIMqFy9e3yGw/w640-h452/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Preceding these are the stories from Kathmandu that were narrated as a delayed flight booking in Phnom Penh and the complexity of reserving rooms at Mercure Sabang in Jakarta, the chase for a travel insurance in Manila while closing a BDO Visa card, a derby of <i>kalderetang bibe</i> with<i> beef pares </i>over off-loaded Boy Bawang packs and a possible post-March consultancy arrangement, and the month's Masonic Education about the proposed retreat in Rayong. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There were no meetings on Friday as "Oplan Walang Hanggang Pangalan" was initiated by the wizards of Hogwarts in a dismantled train track to celebrate birthdays and got drunk on purloined whiskey, coagulating <i>kinilaw na bangus</i>, fibrous <i>lumpiang shanghai</i> and slushy <i>tiim na manok</i>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86VX_ftORpEE7M3iQCH7vJz1SY9rc8AOz2m6hMcxgE6XL2M2ydKTGKX2NP3QjUGGg7XmIM8KeBOzycnZ-qkBpQ8sFHQ4HnR1owyq28__N5BaVGjgmXCRCUY6U26elPI7wBkXIfW3DkzvPYGBdmGTTKCadu_c4ev9ydu8jcdVzhF6px3EILnxQSw/s1469/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1469" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86VX_ftORpEE7M3iQCH7vJz1SY9rc8AOz2m6hMcxgE6XL2M2ydKTGKX2NP3QjUGGg7XmIM8KeBOzycnZ-qkBpQ8sFHQ4HnR1owyq28__N5BaVGjgmXCRCUY6U26elPI7wBkXIfW3DkzvPYGBdmGTTKCadu_c4ev9ydu8jcdVzhF6px3EILnxQSw/w640-h412/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And soon, the eco-farm will rise in Korokan that will be linked by an electric jeepney to the upscale commecial complex in Bakal 3 which will be fronted by a real estate development company that will build cute sustainable houses for those who were liberated from the jaws of death.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">At least that is the Phantom Biker's daydream... </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ADaqBx7pLzcfNyrnj3cmyoP8mpvCaGur_KcLusEKeZzzz2b6V9A9Z_MXYK1pPb9OXU3pRvFrlw9__LvFvVXmUGAJ1cMAiGWh5ocWjFU2uPS4x_YHh_EJtZJk-MeOZK0lFEGDNKhc4gEbHOIJh9lgZuF2OX21bcia53lClotVML2C2LlHcPpB1Q/s2560/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ADaqBx7pLzcfNyrnj3cmyoP8mpvCaGur_KcLusEKeZzzz2b6V9A9Z_MXYK1pPb9OXU3pRvFrlw9__LvFvVXmUGAJ1cMAiGWh5ocWjFU2uPS4x_YHh_EJtZJk-MeOZK0lFEGDNKhc4gEbHOIJh9lgZuF2OX21bcia53lClotVML2C2LlHcPpB1Q/w640-h360/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-15063172953125058402024-02-26T14:49:00.005+08:002024-02-28T06:42:53.020+08:00EVERYBODY WANTS ME BUT...<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>The partnership was stuck.</b></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So I took over as I always do and moved the ToR at supersonic speed as should be done, fast enough to also suck an MOU and next week's partnership assessment in its wake.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>I make things happen. </b></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Like pairing sweet moscato with leftover <i>bopis</i> or hard beer with creamy catfish <i>sisig</i>, shanghaied <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catfish">Siluriformes</a>, crisp samgyupsal and an unconventional omelette in Bakal 2.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>They all made their bids known.</b></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Vientiane indicated a budget, Phnom Penh called, Chicago sent a message, the countries said there is a way but still, the future hangs in limbo like the requested TA to Jakarta. </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>But the tempered glass is breaking.</b></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And this is when rare exceptionalism should rise from mediocrity to be digitally transformed from a <a href="https://classicsavory.com/">savory chicken</a> powerpoint into a deboned crispy pata.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCa-U-064lWzLn1wxjBiZtdYjcbquhgLWhZajN0p9m6rHKK-QUusikIQxIaljf-JIxGUnNXvhpOkz_VyTP1fWQB_gVtWEw-AbZYRnIuBMtSu0Wp7pRkXnB_ep4lEampuFgULp00x_XwZ1FgM67rX96YeTAX7ZYS6Ymha3XvNX-bdZzG4ACPKrQfw/s3508/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCa-U-064lWzLn1wxjBiZtdYjcbquhgLWhZajN0p9m6rHKK-QUusikIQxIaljf-JIxGUnNXvhpOkz_VyTP1fWQB_gVtWEw-AbZYRnIuBMtSu0Wp7pRkXnB_ep4lEampuFgULp00x_XwZ1FgM67rX96YeTAX7ZYS6Ymha3XvNX-bdZzG4ACPKrQfw/w640-h452/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>There is no birthday but a wedding.</b></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Because those who want me are waiting for the chef to whip out a wedding <i>kaldereta</i> instead of bearing with a birthday policy that was supposed to happen but should not.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Four days into exit month.</b></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And after 7 breakfast runs, it was decided that the 38th year of people power will be skipped for a mid-afternoon dream of a lotto jackpot win or the jueteng mother lode.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUav6rj48boPhWSzco_4McDe_kTHbvoMBWJmYRFl_F1Wik2l4cSktaDNU-08EK09gqb3kNMFkTQ_CoEqzM-ts1Y2hJpvG8rif_EVW5lHHODUIOkl4e-U3CXmVwCSdyeWor-mwGP3UuSQBLmcVAg8GwmPDhR7u7ietSBzUTnTyNcPYk7vbgLBivTg/s3000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUav6rj48boPhWSzco_4McDe_kTHbvoMBWJmYRFl_F1Wik2l4cSktaDNU-08EK09gqb3kNMFkTQ_CoEqzM-ts1Y2hJpvG8rif_EVW5lHHODUIOkl4e-U3CXmVwCSdyeWor-mwGP3UuSQBLmcVAg8GwmPDhR7u7ietSBzUTnTyNcPYk7vbgLBivTg/w640-h640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-87808860756489915512024-02-19T09:52:00.014+08:002024-02-25T06:42:32.271+08:00A VALENTINE'S DAY SUBMISSION <span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Never look back.<br /><br />But I do sometimes to remind myself of the superficiality and idiosyncracies of some people I've met along the way that is both sobering and amusing. <br /><br />Always look forward.<br /><br />And through my new biennial glasses, I can see a secure, confident and content 54 years old who will win the lotto jackpot someday.<br /><br />But I wont have enough time to finish properly so the first application was impulsively fired out on Friday afternoon three hours before the <i>daing na bangus</i> and Ma Ling pork luncheon meat were flash fried.</span><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H0ae-86WfuzdqEPPK26fmPKAItY8f7HvXPeoFAITRstYA-AWSuRCgiAv2WfTqEMtC_aD92ZlKPaqZUh2iaYdjTHNWqpM258aoPdRYUpNXP5PWG2HAVqDbz7SNAqrAyQmcWaSWnaF-b6VvMhzUXdo_nXk7XEhaCt2z2dqLWmnBmMeqSxrC5xtPw/s3508/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H0ae-86WfuzdqEPPK26fmPKAItY8f7HvXPeoFAITRstYA-AWSuRCgiAv2WfTqEMtC_aD92ZlKPaqZUh2iaYdjTHNWqpM258aoPdRYUpNXP5PWG2HAVqDbz7SNAqrAyQmcWaSWnaF-b6VvMhzUXdo_nXk7XEhaCt2z2dqLWmnBmMeqSxrC5xtPw/w640-h452/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">"Making good men better".</span><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Apparently not so for certain people who are perfect metpahors of memorizing without understanding</span><span style="font-family: courier;">. </span></span><div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Yes, Tuklaw is a <i>kumpare</i> or a face at the fellowship table and that being it, March 2 will be my second and last reception after January 6 because a Saturday in Palayan is just another day.</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXttiPG1DRVQfsOMVnWh-rjbw-QgVZisRlO4_CKf-XPkhAGaI09bt8JWWieoxkv6iCG0bRq7Z9u7aycMZ0JPuy89x6kg-Jjfx0mQ5iXN0GMY9rNxB9alRpNUm3laEorZpB1IRE0HdZlJGVafBNvqgaK4Iv06Wg4kB7dEky2Q_5RTGCdHs4QGGWQ/s1033/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1033" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXttiPG1DRVQfsOMVnWh-rjbw-QgVZisRlO4_CKf-XPkhAGaI09bt8JWWieoxkv6iCG0bRq7Z9u7aycMZ0JPuy89x6kg-Jjfx0mQ5iXN0GMY9rNxB9alRpNUm3laEorZpB1IRE0HdZlJGVafBNvqgaK4Iv06Wg4kB7dEky2Q_5RTGCdHs4QGGWQ/w640-h426/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Kathmandu was warm and beautiful on Valentine's Day, enough to thaw a frozen fake ham in a bonfire of curriculum vitae and a cover letter that acknowledged the credits and debits from Bulan's account while I chase Jakarta for a ToR amidst a power outage that failed to explain why the Thursday Group had salami, roasted chicken and stale pistachos on Saturday night when Elizabeth Keen's idiotic episodes were being previewed at Elena's for an Apayao Brew on Day 7 in the trails of Munoz+... </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9z5MkdL8A8CUtMQVpWxmohMI8oaHqwqC4-5XieudY2g-spVQpFTQAwAKiL8HTlhVi1WTX1o_i9VEPhIs2aCnpkVHsaewsbArDZ58xqUnqZIL3BEdrs5NIHqxKOLqbd5xeWEJiD5ZhJcte_mFBl2i6GLablc2mSTNqJLN0YfSzJPf9svs2tatZg/s3000/MixCollage-18-Feb-2024-12-24-PM-1433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9z5MkdL8A8CUtMQVpWxmohMI8oaHqwqC4-5XieudY2g-spVQpFTQAwAKiL8HTlhVi1WTX1o_i9VEPhIs2aCnpkVHsaewsbArDZ58xqUnqZIL3BEdrs5NIHqxKOLqbd5xeWEJiD5ZhJcte_mFBl2i6GLablc2mSTNqJLN0YfSzJPf9svs2tatZg/w640-h640/MixCollage-18-Feb-2024-12-24-PM-1433.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-30546361412783207292024-02-12T06:19:00.226+08:002024-02-19T12:17:20.178+08:00THE YEAR OF THE WOOD DRAGON IN BINONDO (and Malate)<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">for three days</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><span>the meetings were banished into a birthday party in the realm of the dead, dirty salami </span>purged with a Pakistani sidestep as a leverage for Laos, like Thursday's streamlined plastic money or paper wrist bands sketched for the Friday loonies of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/borninfilm">The Gathering</a> </span></div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDfK7-HC1wLSZXGXv8lhOiL9eySBmYKLNRUjSZO8qyfczQTrhnRU0jlxxo5Hc4JGWCTNPQxJVH7O6EPleqM3DmceFvchJrjTxwrfsO_3aMdbDn1yVgg5YC9R_rrtTSyM4BO-sq9-w2WhmiTEuPBNakiroCme7NpDNOxkQSMViY2jUfPmqQRkWbg/s2953/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="2953" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDfK7-HC1wLSZXGXv8lhOiL9eySBmYKLNRUjSZO8qyfczQTrhnRU0jlxxo5Hc4JGWCTNPQxJVH7O6EPleqM3DmceFvchJrjTxwrfsO_3aMdbDn1yVgg5YC9R_rrtTSyM4BO-sq9-w2WhmiTEuPBNakiroCme7NpDNOxkQSMViY2jUfPmqQRkWbg/w640-h438/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">si <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malate_Church">Remedios</a> ang kristo ng sabungan </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">at sina <a href="https://www.unileverfoodsolutions.com.ph/free-courses-academy/cost-management/aristocrat-restaurant-case-study.html">Lola Asiang</a> at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max%27s_Restaurant">Ruby</a> ang una at huling sultada, "<i>sa inihaw! sa prito!</i>" ang pustahan sa labas hanggang sa naibenta ng mga mahuhusay ang dalampasigan ng <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Dolomite_Beach">Batong Apog</a> sa halagang 389 milyong piso...</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVfWW5R1GqNPCql5QlNYHr1Dj5icHycGwrGP0B6Im03xEuF4h9glwj4oeNL732FKstN1YO2drWuc42DY-8_KI73MZ20C6-ku18fTQy7G-WHZanZj0U8kDPpvyEkokLufYAksI_4ltvjftdzaqBnllNJNqcBCFcdG0Jgojg_ADu7EtUBYZJbe_Hg/s2560/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVfWW5R1GqNPCql5QlNYHr1Dj5icHycGwrGP0B6Im03xEuF4h9glwj4oeNL732FKstN1YO2drWuc42DY-8_KI73MZ20C6-ku18fTQy7G-WHZanZj0U8kDPpvyEkokLufYAksI_4ltvjftdzaqBnllNJNqcBCFcdG0Jgojg_ADu7EtUBYZJbe_Hg/w640-h360/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpG4bQiLcKz2CXFeuQ7n3PFaoh4gFILeOLy-FktcXBUVYPHwvcyddwpb9WkjNH1BZ32MrENmE3oc6Be2SfeT7B3FWGbtdQUNU-bYzXFY2Z8CeLHekph1_RZB0fDM80shlHsAPmm9IATAOEl7w_1ayQwStA89lYR0YbDHjvTauZL2-z8pwLj3SiA/s1415/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1415" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpG4bQiLcKz2CXFeuQ7n3PFaoh4gFILeOLy-FktcXBUVYPHwvcyddwpb9WkjNH1BZ32MrENmE3oc6Be2SfeT7B3FWGbtdQUNU-bYzXFY2Z8CeLHekph1_RZB0fDM80shlHsAPmm9IATAOEl7w_1ayQwStA89lYR0YbDHjvTauZL2-z8pwLj3SiA/w640-h432/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span>...at pumusta ng todo ni Ginoong Teus kasama ang <a href="https://youtu.be/FYPO_TTeIVw?si=S7j9qS4HrIlromEP">Bahay ng Tanduay</a>, ang mga santo mula sa <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Miguel_Church_(Manila)">Simbahan ng Serbesa</a>, at ang mga ipinagdadamot na bakuran ng mga Lakan sapagkat ang deboto ng <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Sebastian_Church_(Manila)">Pinikpikang Santo</a> ay nagsipagpugay sa </span><a href="https://www.esquiremag.ph/food-and-drink/food/toho-story-branches-a00227-20190624-lfrm3">Antigong Asado</a> ng Binondo bilang pasintabi sa mga <a href="https://youtu.be/7zG6hB_TBQ0?si=hD0NEb6Kv8aUevOf">Koreano ng Malate</a> </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-LWHMw5vWRcNm20AU3FQo8-sEyswxUVkYp7rHbcreQ5hpo4qGSAvypOmMdoROUL5PIo_i9ngeRey3nxa1JerC5mOmqivTooZ9wZ5HFDTP8M9nmhzSzlhF4-8kyitIBY8i6VPM1-hdML9nL1PofnYCgLMH-6HbLbwaIf8cBgfF3Z_mfVX2R_-tw/s3000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-LWHMw5vWRcNm20AU3FQo8-sEyswxUVkYp7rHbcreQ5hpo4qGSAvypOmMdoROUL5PIo_i9ngeRey3nxa1JerC5mOmqivTooZ9wZ5HFDTP8M9nmhzSzlhF4-8kyitIBY8i6VPM1-hdML9nL1PofnYCgLMH-6HbLbwaIf8cBgfF3Z_mfVX2R_-tw/w640-h320/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VztQq8pAlmhXQL0Gh26zJzXOBxgct_xyH6K6ZFVoxdOROa-iPSy-IsEwLCMhA1WFthyuDdUi5TsA0HTieJ_TMzzuAGyu74tZfEClqfksxhyphenhyphenxS5YnS9-laV0Eca26COh_JHVAIwYIRxx4CKHqeC6qC7YAzDvf0mu7K6J95RykkMLeQilE6iWHmg/s1280/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1280" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VztQq8pAlmhXQL0Gh26zJzXOBxgct_xyH6K6ZFVoxdOROa-iPSy-IsEwLCMhA1WFthyuDdUi5TsA0HTieJ_TMzzuAGyu74tZfEClqfksxhyphenhyphenxS5YnS9-laV0Eca26COh_JHVAIwYIRxx4CKHqeC6qC7YAzDvf0mu7K6J95RykkMLeQilE6iWHmg/w640-h484/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGGcqqJj0Nalvf2zINYi_QJDlKMV-ylKwGK0sZWBjf7DWAnCCwCmb0q9mRbDkWJo4L4VwZ5gNTtjx6N_t3JM6sujOK6Kuzt0tdK3qe2BJSMVlKMnaWWnVQBsUEMxrixWJD_oscFf69eN1IhA57D9Gu3L0OphPOrmpmj4DH3y1GddOJKV1K-j3Cg/s3508/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGGcqqJj0Nalvf2zINYi_QJDlKMV-ylKwGK0sZWBjf7DWAnCCwCmb0q9mRbDkWJo4L4VwZ5gNTtjx6N_t3JM6sujOK6Kuzt0tdK3qe2BJSMVlKMnaWWnVQBsUEMxrixWJD_oscFf69eN1IhA57D9Gu3L0OphPOrmpmj4DH3y1GddOJKV1K-j3Cg/w640-h452/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">at the Arranque Market</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">cats and birds were wrapped in <a href="https://www.marketmanila.com/archives/taupe-soybean-crepes-for-kikiamque-kiam">taope</a> as an appeasement to a late opening time </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>at dahil <a href="https://ericjazfoodies.blogspot.com/2017/05/tasty-dumplings-binondo-food-trip.html">matabang na siomai</a> ang isinawsaw sa maitim na suka at lasang ilang-ilang ang <a href="https://www.thekitchengoddess.net/2017/01/the-century-old-ilang-ilang-restaurant.html">mamantikang kikiam</a> na ipinalaman sa mga inihagis na <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_envelope#:~:text=In%20the%20Philippines%2C%20Chinese%20Filipinos,or%20%22Chinese%20New%20Year%22.">angpao</a>... </i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpYDGRtgkscrQQRxM7uwY9CKlZPG5f98C5tcAL4tKM2GN97CSy0-fRM0n7uJqlRTvxrk478DAMD16gahLNXh9wyCjfY1Wt28tsvwDQWZ78gohx_jpYG94T5WRGmOMGzqoOl310ByhficdZRgTzVr1dk_gad3vU2N6OkrSBDWfj-AeRUTFd_uhsg/s3508/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpYDGRtgkscrQQRxM7uwY9CKlZPG5f98C5tcAL4tKM2GN97CSy0-fRM0n7uJqlRTvxrk478DAMD16gahLNXh9wyCjfY1Wt28tsvwDQWZ78gohx_jpYG94T5WRGmOMGzqoOl310ByhficdZRgTzVr1dk_gad3vU2N6OkrSBDWfj-AeRUTFd_uhsg/w640-h452/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">...Ongpin choked with dancing dragons, extorting fire eaters, and a thousand tiny yellow ducks</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>dahil ang retasong karne ni <a href="https://www.facebook.com/supersixhouse">Remedios</a> na inihain sa kalye ay lubhang hinigitan ang mamahaling buntot ng baka ni <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CafeAdriatico">Adriatico</a></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ74E9ZN1Bb7M5RcApLxR5rDjUzWgv5rhs5ZjjUJQsp9sk4bdkawM-2WauhUESKjFZ7fp15byky71pioukuO9FBPt8OavZgDoaPxw5_X3JYrs0uEuqWAqdaMaMge_f1wcbaarOfTJLjdVDqqZccFj67BgL-xpagblhR2V0r-1jVrUJedTaeCGQw/s2880/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ74E9ZN1Bb7M5RcApLxR5rDjUzWgv5rhs5ZjjUJQsp9sk4bdkawM-2WauhUESKjFZ7fp15byky71pioukuO9FBPt8OavZgDoaPxw5_X3JYrs0uEuqWAqdaMaMge_f1wcbaarOfTJLjdVDqqZccFj67BgL-xpagblhR2V0r-1jVrUJedTaeCGQw/w640-h640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdD4_62vZc9S_Yk7r26_yszOu-Z0Pd99jn8lGFndXUWyWa2WPuhfoNySMCUPZyU36dFMq_ecU-tF79jirm7LJopEJ3haO7Nk3n_1PDfLxV96oyRnhP6RPIeZcrVX0UUoOCVPUAL9vK2rrzBbNI7WPrwmSfb8-EbLl2EespxIgh-PhyphenhyphenJIi9VlwzA/s2560/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdD4_62vZc9S_Yk7r26_yszOu-Z0Pd99jn8lGFndXUWyWa2WPuhfoNySMCUPZyU36dFMq_ecU-tF79jirm7LJopEJ3haO7Nk3n_1PDfLxV96oyRnhP6RPIeZcrVX0UUoOCVPUAL9vK2rrzBbNI7WPrwmSfb8-EbLl2EespxIgh-PhyphenhyphenJIi9VlwzA/w640-h360/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am the Ironman, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">plantsador ng Bakal 2 who </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">ride the Iron Horse </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">when shirts and trousers collide in the Year of the Wood Dragon...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83dVIC7jzuAFOEFlceEKgPyyMrV8GOp5V9SWwpf0A6LTqhhnLczYIxk_Kg2id5g7pBAgJctF48Mm7Salk19tGNMHc8MEDL27SY5uUjxy5xG1tXD2DLO58DmrFuWqOQ7FCD5r-XtrTupwCuR0NlPBgEllre0iHePpStdQa0m_5bhrQG41YxAEPlA/s2880/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83dVIC7jzuAFOEFlceEKgPyyMrV8GOp5V9SWwpf0A6LTqhhnLczYIxk_Kg2id5g7pBAgJctF48Mm7Salk19tGNMHc8MEDL27SY5uUjxy5xG1tXD2DLO58DmrFuWqOQ7FCD5r-XtrTupwCuR0NlPBgEllre0iHePpStdQa0m_5bhrQG41YxAEPlA/w640-h640/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-81971557488981579182024-02-05T12:15:00.022+08:002024-02-05T17:41:25.233+08:00THE LAST TWO MONTHS<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Bongabon was sold for a case of Johnny Walker Black and three bottles of pale pilsen because the collective birthday cake was good enough to finally banish a pair of discarded tellys and dress the mundane with salami, olives and dried dates 40 days after a death not from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelers%27_diarrhea">Montezuma's revenge</a> but a temptress in quest for a 20/20 vision that can decipher the Jakarta proposal and why there should be no meetings on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlemas">Candlemas</a> because the Ironman's last three cigarretes were finally lighted by a pair of troopers after four days of cycling into the last two months of an extended contract...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS_3ZcSMxzxpn6Qaz3neMQCEGaADOZ1Uw_tw80hUitA_bBDzAyTonj5pwjyNZ1LwizqEvUJVtCbPO1JQ1QE3CElyZ30KYe8mhx9njIUdO-oXOk5ToJLvB6_yGV8_pKdTJWuCMkXtAPineCj9z3p-Qb727ttDR_8gLcl_OT6zkPy2SIpBF2ugu0g/s1256/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1256" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS_3ZcSMxzxpn6Qaz3neMQCEGaADOZ1Uw_tw80hUitA_bBDzAyTonj5pwjyNZ1LwizqEvUJVtCbPO1JQ1QE3CElyZ30KYe8mhx9njIUdO-oXOk5ToJLvB6_yGV8_pKdTJWuCMkXtAPineCj9z3p-Qb727ttDR_8gLcl_OT6zkPy2SIpBF2ugu0g/w640-h466/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92JUA2XiOtAmbPc3uqPfxhugQ41G4lqjBmzHaKTM25lXTdGlExT3bV63EBRtQDee3iz-c6Lism3ztyyK7RxHz9NyVpGZBYFzcStupyNJBxbEg3yssuoGWwIIP1bXLQtbqz-TnEpMkubb2JdymsKrR_jZGt_094UoRSuV7kU093yaqt1z_Fm8Gbw/s2880/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92JUA2XiOtAmbPc3uqPfxhugQ41G4lqjBmzHaKTM25lXTdGlExT3bV63EBRtQDee3iz-c6Lism3ztyyK7RxHz9NyVpGZBYFzcStupyNJBxbEg3yssuoGWwIIP1bXLQtbqz-TnEpMkubb2JdymsKrR_jZGt_094UoRSuV7kU093yaqt1z_Fm8Gbw/w640-h640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-45374221820377691452024-01-29T18:10:00.022+08:002024-02-13T20:00:26.085+08:00THE UNEXPECTED (Two Concerts and a Food Crawl)<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">He had a dream, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">a threesome at a meagerly furnished studio apartment that smelled of fried catfish and the burnt unlimited samgyupsal from the Thursday Group's consecutive engagements with the impossible Raymond Reddington who must bear with Agent Elizabeth Keen's naivity in every episode until the doctor finally stepped in with a prescription for a night that never was to break the fast in Timog Avenue. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1yjfOmwHHnO__RKLHpmRXrxUljqaLHM_Cxzt7oZ1JZEnqR7jfj_xiZhJbzfxaA1z0yEk3MEbEARAsWbVaV00_tWcLr7Pz1TIs6X5dCUW4tzJumPCv78G-cdXwyrIOuN95y57KBMb2dqMyllWTJELSnvr1JDhYLbifqeUWmZaYbiWAHC6R8tHXQ/s3063/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="3063" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1yjfOmwHHnO__RKLHpmRXrxUljqaLHM_Cxzt7oZ1JZEnqR7jfj_xiZhJbzfxaA1z0yEk3MEbEARAsWbVaV00_tWcLr7Pz1TIs6X5dCUW4tzJumPCv78G-cdXwyrIOuN95y57KBMb2dqMyllWTJELSnvr1JDhYLbifqeUWmZaYbiWAHC6R8tHXQ/w640-h480/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There's a line, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">from Room 602 of the B Hotel to Jones Bridge through the <a href="https://www.theurbanroamer.com/manila-chinatown-arches/">world's largest Chinatown welcome arch</a> for two orders of teahouse dimsum that was paid by a teller from the <a href="https://www.chinabank.ph/china-bank-about-us-binondo-heritage-restoration-project">renovated Chinabank building</a> who sincerily chewed on a bag of frozen <i>kikiam</i> from a nearby bakery...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ9Zk4bzBV9oirJDn6tEYM7rKEK0mEI6RZkvp-48bcUknWNDKsLR30HRxPlxaM2y82E9eeXkg-hp30MyWxzJM1eHsdFolTJIYJr2PjhEVBHdd1qJ8999ABcIvsAaf9wjwxuOqlrZCUxBDNv8dvf_xmQeVW9j2FxSzKGvzogKDQnpd8DggtMg9Tw/s3000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ9Zk4bzBV9oirJDn6tEYM7rKEK0mEI6RZkvp-48bcUknWNDKsLR30HRxPlxaM2y82E9eeXkg-hp30MyWxzJM1eHsdFolTJIYJr2PjhEVBHdd1qJ8999ABcIvsAaf9wjwxuOqlrZCUxBDNv8dvf_xmQeVW9j2FxSzKGvzogKDQnpd8DggtMg9Tw/w640-h320/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58zxgYNPW5l694NmMcYA4U85d91bB4Dw7ML4wMnKxVPoqKNWHRhn-6H98VNHl8dG6-PcSTVFFJcfiVAQgMQUkZgug_7TBUKHPIeKxMl4yfGa_1wX-1-_PSyOCnPc5CJUueH1kpQ6Qp740Lgb3fB15Aj7MGIS9OKYZTWZkBAB4f8OjGU8-Dtp6ew/s2880/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58zxgYNPW5l694NmMcYA4U85d91bB4Dw7ML4wMnKxVPoqKNWHRhn-6H98VNHl8dG6-PcSTVFFJcfiVAQgMQUkZgug_7TBUKHPIeKxMl4yfGa_1wX-1-_PSyOCnPc5CJUueH1kpQ6Qp740Lgb3fB15Aj7MGIS9OKYZTWZkBAB4f8OjGU8-Dtp6ew/w640-h640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">...where another long line crawl through a mezzanine of purple <i>hopia</i> and frozen pork <i>siomai</i>, a table of <i>mami</i> and <i>siopao</i>, burning tofu barbecue, a box of imported cherry and chilled Hut Taho.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFcLzfjxpRXl4lMDfXolEfUr6Cm5WqjVt5AShnVw4gFlDnr_kCbUA0EjKrhQ1AO_tet0fUEXD5rSNuVvNBRA329wZjYgH40D8K6DuSuOD9kB_RzbszY463-IOPfr7EVBAvXn3JrJzgfog84LI475gXJhU-GxV0vbIfAEUVXqDqipJnqPKyfikOg/s2991/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2358" data-original-width="2991" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFcLzfjxpRXl4lMDfXolEfUr6Cm5WqjVt5AShnVw4gFlDnr_kCbUA0EjKrhQ1AO_tet0fUEXD5rSNuVvNBRA329wZjYgH40D8K6DuSuOD9kB_RzbszY463-IOPfr7EVBAvXn3JrJzgfog84LI475gXJhU-GxV0vbIfAEUVXqDqipJnqPKyfikOg/w640-h504/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqV7T3R4Vbvo2JSyuowW-bbO8hsjgk8v_Hcu_rC82bDyfyqqqcEKAlw69SFjOf79lusS9GjNdj1z25vv3rpI6ACBgOdFLoiuxefXBDAvaP3mIWaaMDSDxGLxgNpAX8YWOLDua0A4Dkg_ooF6aJNW-v4yKngzsLa9fDvKvjMSBug45L6iCDjrEog/s2880/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqV7T3R4Vbvo2JSyuowW-bbO8hsjgk8v_Hcu_rC82bDyfyqqqcEKAlw69SFjOf79lusS9GjNdj1z25vv3rpI6ACBgOdFLoiuxefXBDAvaP3mIWaaMDSDxGLxgNpAX8YWOLDua0A4Dkg_ooF6aJNW-v4yKngzsLa9fDvKvjMSBug45L6iCDjrEog/w640-h640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">It's a parfait for The Dawn, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">real milk tea for her though and a full body massage at the Changekeepers Academy of two ageing protest singers and a famous fried chicken that shaved their brother's moustache with songs which pulled Balong to a deep slumber.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklAYk-98gjCd5Rhe9G5Iwk8h5L2g1tJBBzZBKoK79wQzvI1Vkr4kL_FMwBQSmGZa5Qr1dDEcWFX3M4v0wqVb37xob-7qhJuzUh_dUAX7kVYYtQHe8zls_Eko4oWBvIwBvTd0Mt6AM-pDPrOdjMbLL4lvyGrjNhz4jAEA0JLZ1cSn_GQkfLS-QIA/s3000/MixCollage-29-Jan-2024-03-03-PM-3156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklAYk-98gjCd5Rhe9G5Iwk8h5L2g1tJBBzZBKoK79wQzvI1Vkr4kL_FMwBQSmGZa5Qr1dDEcWFX3M4v0wqVb37xob-7qhJuzUh_dUAX7kVYYtQHe8zls_Eko4oWBvIwBvTd0Mt6AM-pDPrOdjMbLL4lvyGrjNhz4jAEA0JLZ1cSn_GQkfLS-QIA/w640-h320/MixCollage-29-Jan-2024-03-03-PM-3156.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx2DdiNksm0L5pU_D7QIrZCpIeoGeLKce-zCkpecvgMdHnBdAkFv7YNUf6_6bK3lZnZNH_WlbshjV9aueCc4jH-h7jcc_ZoH30hgn_J00Iu1A4IQZItK3FFtld0VP3C6zhoxz3NJL67ZPbQJvhiyHh3zHJR918Uuu_OArochhFTTXmEf_NrCZcA/s3508/MixCollage-29-Jan-2024-03-05-PM-609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx2DdiNksm0L5pU_D7QIrZCpIeoGeLKce-zCkpecvgMdHnBdAkFv7YNUf6_6bK3lZnZNH_WlbshjV9aueCc4jH-h7jcc_ZoH30hgn_J00Iu1A4IQZItK3FFtld0VP3C6zhoxz3NJL67ZPbQJvhiyHh3zHJR918Uuu_OArochhFTTXmEf_NrCZcA/w640-h452/MixCollage-29-Jan-2024-03-05-PM-609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MMLoF7QV09mqThpO0wgNCJ0nImgz2JCO4W30hwviGQmm19a2DTUf15vr9Zm5ZbjaBtBlukiWbpcooDuOVSZqguJmWkDH0RhShO3Er5lLG2-5PqClQn22x3JH7-1fyAeVcnwAH4cG-y2MoRuCKcm1E7KVLfKtfgMt6mU9bL9W-wUrTa2YjMd1Jw/s3060/20240127_180001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="3060" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MMLoF7QV09mqThpO0wgNCJ0nImgz2JCO4W30hwviGQmm19a2DTUf15vr9Zm5ZbjaBtBlukiWbpcooDuOVSZqguJmWkDH0RhShO3Er5lLG2-5PqClQn22x3JH7-1fyAeVcnwAH4cG-y2MoRuCKcm1E7KVLfKtfgMt6mU9bL9W-wUrTa2YjMd1Jw/w640-h480/20240127_180001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ7gax9Hz8_pUb7ItV-y1xsKXJqdDz9nmHw3gHnA0SSMBYhUgZfomLTM0x3TQHFhHGvq-SupSM5D5t9uH_75PItGV7U9KvSFJwTRlXCD-dExqtpD3bZOqpXRxUBEj2av8D4Kx9RFRi_qDPmIHp-rLMOV-MzOUC78tp9SMy0I_WtwPkWKqIQfP2Q/s3508/MixCollage-29-Jan-2024-03-09-PM-871.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZ7gax9Hz8_pUb7ItV-y1xsKXJqdDz9nmHw3gHnA0SSMBYhUgZfomLTM0x3TQHFhHGvq-SupSM5D5t9uH_75PItGV7U9KvSFJwTRlXCD-dExqtpD3bZOqpXRxUBEj2av8D4Kx9RFRi_qDPmIHp-rLMOV-MzOUC78tp9SMy0I_WtwPkWKqIQfP2Q/w640-h452/MixCollage-29-Jan-2024-03-09-PM-871.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There's too much blood at the SIDCOR Sunday Market but a pack each of <i>menudo</i>, <i>igado</i>, <i>lengua estofado</i> and <i>humba</i> were enough to honor each day in the trails of Munoz that raised the curtain for the unexpected and a subsequent feast of salami, olives and pistachio seeds in Bakal 2...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0Tn4bJgProYuEK2ubHGTLxeyrQmFvFHXm21XcasJXlJuC3GSzd4H0owXRTwduKrd6LauKLpPOIvrTi4HQRv7rEMKUXR5u7rXCPqTxDOLJg9SXpRCJ3JpZMsayYZbg83ov8MxXyusBSFpCSIuLQU9SvdxTblUYJPC4DvF_8PnQpWbZUwnpE244Q/s3739/20240128_083110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="2804" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0Tn4bJgProYuEK2ubHGTLxeyrQmFvFHXm21XcasJXlJuC3GSzd4H0owXRTwduKrd6LauKLpPOIvrTi4HQRv7rEMKUXR5u7rXCPqTxDOLJg9SXpRCJ3JpZMsayYZbg83ov8MxXyusBSFpCSIuLQU9SvdxTblUYJPC4DvF_8PnQpWbZUwnpE244Q/w480-h640/20240128_083110.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zeyTYAA6Wfq6CND0L_k2p-FqGlnhi7utsEM7_DIr6jmW0deUWJLBDxISZuic5ywVzIfXZBfuq-8tXhNYjcIFLPPmdomx9CFR_ceHiMUV6wAP6eplgb7WBRkcyhcrN6aQzIBlfQr4sV1c_M4T9nTB2CHGcyvfYuG6Mkd-CLzKcq-L_MkBlDFL2A/s3000/MixCollage-29-Jan-2024-03-15-PM-3648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zeyTYAA6Wfq6CND0L_k2p-FqGlnhi7utsEM7_DIr6jmW0deUWJLBDxISZuic5ywVzIfXZBfuq-8tXhNYjcIFLPPmdomx9CFR_ceHiMUV6wAP6eplgb7WBRkcyhcrN6aQzIBlfQr4sV1c_M4T9nTB2CHGcyvfYuG6Mkd-CLzKcq-L_MkBlDFL2A/w640-h320/MixCollage-29-Jan-2024-03-15-PM-3648.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-73937050251717920762024-01-22T09:18:00.023+08:002024-01-23T12:17:47.735+08:00WHEN I'M 54 (in Luang Prabang)<div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>With apologies to the Beatles...</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When I get older in Luang Prabang</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Four days before now</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Did you send them the carrot cake</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">54 years in a bottle of wine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqmq027yxhHD6E_N7cQznwwiOCSEhP53yzia7-7wFd_wPPUUFj9dmZAUCjgrrz8zllaf6JiOFZ-PVtra8xUeQaRl6CSA2Sp2ikhIL3YO7QlicVLETGiyHeSTyte1YxL-YNNDBP9k-YKcxXIlTrWxFEOI7YGoJ5zt0Z6MQakPXs5gAORIspS2HWA/s1025/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1025" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqmq027yxhHD6E_N7cQznwwiOCSEhP53yzia7-7wFd_wPPUUFj9dmZAUCjgrrz8zllaf6JiOFZ-PVtra8xUeQaRl6CSA2Sp2ikhIL3YO7QlicVLETGiyHeSTyte1YxL-YNNDBP9k-YKcxXIlTrWxFEOI7YGoJ5zt0Z6MQakPXs5gAORIspS2HWA/w640-h438/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiNqrwXaUfW1KbJpsqHp86gDvl0pkODkaEGdC1ucfu1W3v9PuQ59_UcUN8Tmvwg8E9cabqIPJVdzoS7SryBXcDqfVyFwdVJNo4coOLZdIXsl3Tkaj3rrz4YkjHczadCuBXFgm1dyz56qCO2jnwsvbLWnPABbfak4Y-jQmF0xR5rglq_EScLE2gA/s3335/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2359" data-original-width="3335" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiNqrwXaUfW1KbJpsqHp86gDvl0pkODkaEGdC1ucfu1W3v9PuQ59_UcUN8Tmvwg8E9cabqIPJVdzoS7SryBXcDqfVyFwdVJNo4coOLZdIXsl3Tkaj3rrz4YkjHczadCuBXFgm1dyz56qCO2jnwsvbLWnPABbfak4Y-jQmF0xR5rglq_EScLE2gA/w640-h452/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'd been here since Monday noon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Would you lock the gates </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Will we still need dams, will they still flood towns</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When I'm fifty-four</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They'll be older too</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And if you say finance</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'll drink Lao beer with you</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOuhs9ZaCO8SfSgabU4-maJGsJkTTve6rHl3q6gnxmNeTJvL3gUQ2E9Yu8pB2sp6ClLWIpPlaJnCl9ZCPID7m3Cw6L-M7cPLNzhiFdEt7xFGxAljLYVPFjWJVQ9ULeYK06ILhMn0IGs_n2IFIGTmn3YqS8am8sJeiZ4EoEdfnbK1iK3xDTPBgcg/s3508/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOuhs9ZaCO8SfSgabU4-maJGsJkTTve6rHl3q6gnxmNeTJvL3gUQ2E9Yu8pB2sp6ClLWIpPlaJnCl9ZCPID7m3Cw6L-M7cPLNzhiFdEt7xFGxAljLYVPFjWJVQ9ULeYK06ILhMn0IGs_n2IFIGTmn3YqS8am8sJeiZ4EoEdfnbK1iK3xDTPBgcg/w640-h452/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I could be handy, climb Mount Phousi</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When the sun is gone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Knit protection and care by the fire</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Cold Thurday morning alms</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Doing inclusive, being responsive</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Its a transition</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Will you still need me, will you still hire me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When I'm fifty-four</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vAzo_gSX-uk87cxE9bWJssqIQwsarjmz8Q2ryDIzOO8GwS0UdfyuLrkQemJQfuqTrVaSrhMS36-fQog2gWHZ2uOuIF2IHySd_D0PIDyx6x2fNtttqlGjlGwvj7TmNO1I_xWeyANMctlftm4yFlUTa2qfzDXkQpWJvmGml-l7Ypb9WuORcwM0fw/s3508/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vAzo_gSX-uk87cxE9bWJssqIQwsarjmz8Q2ryDIzOO8GwS0UdfyuLrkQemJQfuqTrVaSrhMS36-fQog2gWHZ2uOuIF2IHySd_D0PIDyx6x2fNtttqlGjlGwvj7TmNO1I_xWeyANMctlftm4yFlUTa2qfzDXkQpWJvmGml-l7Ypb9WuORcwM0fw/w640-h452/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Every year we book flights</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">To Bangkok and Hanoi that are not too dear</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We scrimped and save Bali</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">January in Luang Prabang</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Beerlao in the evenings</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo66yxu_n0AFiRh7uOzk8PFCQEvE83M32jRoXPN-Lu5SMl1Un9rjrBXt7j3z5Gxqa6_DAao7SKrrPDKBjlOP_4EQXb8AJ-H3MH-tSpdxCoonkDCP75Uxfk3nSf0mUKpQvnBJbrq6lbzB3Lcx1oZ0o52-9kd50TkDBWwAObBDp-iw9L0T1qMUBZcA/s3508/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo66yxu_n0AFiRh7uOzk8PFCQEvE83M32jRoXPN-Lu5SMl1Un9rjrBXt7j3z5Gxqa6_DAao7SKrrPDKBjlOP_4EQXb8AJ-H3MH-tSpdxCoonkDCP75Uxfk3nSf0mUKpQvnBJbrq6lbzB3Lcx1oZ0o52-9kd50TkDBWwAObBDp-iw9L0T1qMUBZcA/w640-h452/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Send me a workplan, drop me an outcome</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">State a clear target</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Indicate precisely how much you need</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yours is old but not wasting away</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_WjOtn40wdLgE7iF2sXkNYNmvgRgBCCFynTXuEolmtfQSN6Oeepk-Y2P2ekw9jZTLFMnRlevOkVEGF8LqshoEs9W8Rt9evDe_UC48MFQPVsxJg-1ltWBLES7Jt7TfxqTY3JeUoCrRvc7Ykiz7xGMdk5l9YshA1TAVS9SMMmyMa-TsSbawwbogw/s2760/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="2760" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_WjOtn40wdLgE7iF2sXkNYNmvgRgBCCFynTXuEolmtfQSN6Oeepk-Y2P2ekw9jZTLFMnRlevOkVEGF8LqshoEs9W8Rt9evDe_UC48MFQPVsxJg-1ltWBLES7Jt7TfxqTY3JeUoCrRvc7Ykiz7xGMdk5l9YshA1TAVS9SMMmyMa-TsSbawwbogw/w640-h472/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Give me a sai oua and a fish</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Meat for everyone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Will you still need me, will you still hire me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When I'm fifty-four</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeuYscvnGGkj_YC2sN7iXmtEQPFFpL0bjASh6aJV9P8YZodfmXCLPJDiG1i48ZAmLQ0ecxnl83NH-XtgNV91LKDg2cRkfbsHay3NOL7LpRYD-EDjajoC6zco3v5VYKPyWhgw4l4y8qrThUDvOaMylEbk116DJZRITgeNBS0xpiyqy4CqAYagPAg/s3508/MixCollage-23-Jan-2024-11-29-AM-2836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeuYscvnGGkj_YC2sN7iXmtEQPFFpL0bjASh6aJV9P8YZodfmXCLPJDiG1i48ZAmLQ0ecxnl83NH-XtgNV91LKDg2cRkfbsHay3NOL7LpRYD-EDjajoC6zco3v5VYKPyWhgw4l4y8qrThUDvOaMylEbk116DJZRITgeNBS0xpiyqy4CqAYagPAg/w640-h452/MixCollage-23-Jan-2024-11-29-AM-2836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCchqFQimzPAEVB9wZ6aZcRghYD3A7ovyyZpE-7lZsX5ncb-m0TSypWX_nZWB_ZvojBSEHjnv8F3PwKbFwnn9HI4-iX1eC8f6uXZ35klfbAxC4MiM9-Lu_g7jObiFPs8w8hb249LazTGeeK5-Hb7W6N2d34qFDv8ZcaBCwRPQxr5vSVoKDG_Zgg/s3000/MixCollage-23-Jan-2024-11-32-AM-7477.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCchqFQimzPAEVB9wZ6aZcRghYD3A7ovyyZpE-7lZsX5ncb-m0TSypWX_nZWB_ZvojBSEHjnv8F3PwKbFwnn9HI4-iX1eC8f6uXZ35klfbAxC4MiM9-Lu_g7jObiFPs8w8hb249LazTGeeK5-Hb7W6N2d34qFDv8ZcaBCwRPQxr5vSVoKDG_Zgg/w640-h320/MixCollage-23-Jan-2024-11-32-AM-7477.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-88275867690311044452024-01-15T13:28:00.002+08:002024-01-16T11:18:06.367+08:003 FUNERALS AND A LAYOVER<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>a shield of burned pork</b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>sweet coffee from the slope</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lat_Krabang_district">Krabang</a> laid over</b></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujzAA1192CLJNf2GYW2A4qnQQTX-XNBe38QKwWOP5HDQKK8uPqEC6jsfINiHAJs303epdrrYI5cqG-t29iu2Kuug9bPOPX78fMN4sPYv0MB6rc0mv7gPFUZoRKoTkXMIP62FHO8TU2HEMILZOx8y5mf-w4-aqhTvr8e7dfKgk12rhceUj0iUw6A/s3000/MixCollage-15-Jan-2024-02-50-PM-3452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujzAA1192CLJNf2GYW2A4qnQQTX-XNBe38QKwWOP5HDQKK8uPqEC6jsfINiHAJs303epdrrYI5cqG-t29iu2Kuug9bPOPX78fMN4sPYv0MB6rc0mv7gPFUZoRKoTkXMIP62FHO8TU2HEMILZOx8y5mf-w4-aqhTvr8e7dfKgk12rhceUj0iUw6A/w640-h320/MixCollage-15-Jan-2024-02-50-PM-3452.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6LZeQNg-3_0Shn7A9CLT7NZXEPAOk5aOVCZUA1mrlNthMP8qStEEfzux0Hkl8g-hu82RH4lz89fNELC6mr8GHloDuV9rk7Su7bal7ZXp5nLBmbRBA7mawPNV6LbzVD-CE1vG1iKzFXDsTwPonIjrUBfNciV6vDFS2hcT4wjf6hbqqTb3a1qwZw/s2814/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="2814" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6LZeQNg-3_0Shn7A9CLT7NZXEPAOk5aOVCZUA1mrlNthMP8qStEEfzux0Hkl8g-hu82RH4lz89fNELC6mr8GHloDuV9rk7Su7bal7ZXp5nLBmbRBA7mawPNV6LbzVD-CE1vG1iKzFXDsTwPonIjrUBfNciV6vDFS2hcT4wjf6hbqqTb3a1qwZw/w640-h440/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>chasing the reaper</b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>lightning bolt and a tired heart </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>three deaths on Sunday</b></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEn0TqjoR-jllxWYT21mMDscnZu7CgBbkIXRpjUPfK590Gtjpc5avqxEKGtKVWjWVeL2nJfGanqyCb36j16kBLweQabyHgxkyc1LlAIbqThE6eN3OogfpFcqI9nGFjpOOENW-hIvcG6nbu_JlEFDmSLFw1alN09LCq_AAN22ryD9C8aJfdX8g5w/s1459/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1459" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEn0TqjoR-jllxWYT21mMDscnZu7CgBbkIXRpjUPfK590Gtjpc5avqxEKGtKVWjWVeL2nJfGanqyCb36j16kBLweQabyHgxkyc1LlAIbqThE6eN3OogfpFcqI9nGFjpOOENW-hIvcG6nbu_JlEFDmSLFw1alN09LCq_AAN22ryD9C8aJfdX8g5w/w640-h432/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg-fswhSgC7oE2KL4c9TRKmvBadRE_Jnuht-8WfgIzotoKm3Gb_6ma031PgTCqoARp1icqozWvFBHcLXFKk8GNGZEDIwGDE-2NjRfYR5YSfUJ8O5TTZSK3EMGN7MRhRuFhDtJGEL7uuh6yZCrQeoYIoJQx9EolnaiHOgcsrxVzUK2FaSLS4a0Pg/s2984/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2984" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg-fswhSgC7oE2KL4c9TRKmvBadRE_Jnuht-8WfgIzotoKm3Gb_6ma031PgTCqoARp1icqozWvFBHcLXFKk8GNGZEDIwGDE-2NjRfYR5YSfUJ8O5TTZSK3EMGN7MRhRuFhDtJGEL7uuh6yZCrQeoYIoJQx9EolnaiHOgcsrxVzUK2FaSLS4a0Pg/w640-h432/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>Kathmandu is lost</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>spoiled blood cleansed and redeemed</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>born to bike and live!</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnN44awt_WdbRCZ2HgMJYigxttvzc5089k5feMZJh19SsSt_uIA9Q_kQEu1nwbAANTm5VaFkN7WiPlHRm8JZ0mPcuGQCTNbV1hwmAZePqrLrpxsPAvgP_I0_ajkZ0NrozmGwHoYNGNoabHSNcAdcWK_If4s2fqjBIV1_64ecuNPiyvrhkGN1G4Q/s3000/MixCollage-15-Jan-2024-02-58-PM-9260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnN44awt_WdbRCZ2HgMJYigxttvzc5089k5feMZJh19SsSt_uIA9Q_kQEu1nwbAANTm5VaFkN7WiPlHRm8JZ0mPcuGQCTNbV1hwmAZePqrLrpxsPAvgP_I0_ajkZ0NrozmGwHoYNGNoabHSNcAdcWK_If4s2fqjBIV1_64ecuNPiyvrhkGN1G4Q/w640-h320/MixCollage-15-Jan-2024-02-58-PM-9260.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-26273530616349478202024-01-08T09:11:00.002+08:002024-01-11T12:13:45.462+08:00INTO THE LAST 3 MONTHS<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3 months minus 6</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">8 installation rites through 91 days<br />a milestone unveiled in Baloc</span></blockquote><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYvWGbtQU1EGzXP8AFiTPBFpoKFrPffIetPcAdmTHefR0Kn627w2SI2vjoiwbQu5qD4dKUmCa-M15iNqkroTiSQf0fXqaep6k0gSmcsJBGGOEJbwcZMqV-1-jxHJN_p7oMiBT-RQqG7EGpdEMGDoy58j2FbBtTd3LOrssGTz3CLhn2T35psi6Lw/s1490/1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYvWGbtQU1EGzXP8AFiTPBFpoKFrPffIetPcAdmTHefR0Kn627w2SI2vjoiwbQu5qD4dKUmCa-M15iNqkroTiSQf0fXqaep6k0gSmcsJBGGOEJbwcZMqV-1-jxHJN_p7oMiBT-RQqG7EGpdEMGDoy58j2FbBtTd3LOrssGTz3CLhn2T35psi6Lw/w640-h450/1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3 months minus 1</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">chicken croquetas hatched for Gregory</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">leftover beer blended with vintage whiskey</span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Iz33j33LP3Zk68MuJukNnfh0ItPh3WrqUrdU9xU-nA3JWJ5lXQEHibWddcPXUQGw56qBZ52E0w9J2RxdK5Rtdr7A9fD5sxTlQYcZp0_Buw7QUwFUIyf4XnzUdxF0DCo6NRxVwyJEiGVCs88NRA8nShetj-iv7mQ5vhwp91eKlKN3sSPwm6Wbbw/s1688/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1688" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Iz33j33LP3Zk68MuJukNnfh0ItPh3WrqUrdU9xU-nA3JWJ5lXQEHibWddcPXUQGw56qBZ52E0w9J2RxdK5Rtdr7A9fD5sxTlQYcZp0_Buw7QUwFUIyf4XnzUdxF0DCo6NRxVwyJEiGVCs88NRA8nShetj-iv7mQ5vhwp91eKlKN3sSPwm6Wbbw/w640-h470/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3 months minus 5</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">53 full seats on the bus to Cubao</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">a hot MILF in a Red Horse bottle</span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br />3 months minus 7</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">the thief came in broad daylight</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">for a friend, a foe, and someone I know</span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3 months to D Day</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">April when she comes</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">is Paul chasing Simon's unwashed bike </span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1xENzO4hYCTCADGKvvM1pt-EkeF9s2sNbFWXExbdgELeRK1ISxzjfSrfYeEObBsbTj_QvsPJfRuPcaVxp3ygpX-PPvaoERVEw_1oVYtqOTxH9qaGzNqiRxzhmYuL1AZL8PCZanm3HX0mTMzUoSWwlH4a6RDhlwE6HoiDmuQAITOnI8cPzm2raw/s3000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1xENzO4hYCTCADGKvvM1pt-EkeF9s2sNbFWXExbdgELeRK1ISxzjfSrfYeEObBsbTj_QvsPJfRuPcaVxp3ygpX-PPvaoERVEw_1oVYtqOTxH9qaGzNqiRxzhmYuL1AZL8PCZanm3HX0mTMzUoSWwlH4a6RDhlwE6HoiDmuQAITOnI8cPzm2raw/w640-h320/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-273765740511325892023-12-31T10:49:00.213+08:002024-01-08T05:55:12.349+08:00KUTA BEACH<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was our longest 7 kilometers from the overrated <a href="https://www.gwkbali.com/">GWK Cultural Park</a> where we paid IDR 125,000 each to gawk at huge monuments under a sweltering heat, to the <a href="https://www.discoverasr.com/en/harris/indonesia/harris-hotel-residence-sunset-road-bali?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=-google-gmb-alwayson-20220101-all-en-id-id-HSRD--&utm_content=--">Harris Hotel and Residences</a> at Sunset Boulevard as we inched our way in a monstrous traffic jam of the horde that descended upon Bali for the New Year celebrations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">7 kilometers in 3 hours.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwhiwRE5H2_ry46Nb4pbes16TDJMmouJvA0hRRJGfTVyQcOeh-aqRtV9Iuskmft6BYUx10zTQKP8LtcwtTZBCr7MHOHZ5T1ZWmBOcvaLByDdaLIMHYz2vevfL7oPYL60wIa6q19tGk1x4aAVg9KZkTjSGL9k-NDNA0WVi8-JxbbvxE3RUUjS2sQ/s3185/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2389" data-original-width="3185" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwhiwRE5H2_ry46Nb4pbes16TDJMmouJvA0hRRJGfTVyQcOeh-aqRtV9Iuskmft6BYUx10zTQKP8LtcwtTZBCr7MHOHZ5T1ZWmBOcvaLByDdaLIMHYz2vevfL7oPYL60wIa6q19tGk1x4aAVg9KZkTjSGL9k-NDNA0WVi8-JxbbvxE3RUUjS2sQ/w640-h480/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzIfWmnINhQKtKa8SjY5-3utSslHFMobodZOqQCBfeoRjXvvzcFKhdOv71szPlTFx43y4weERnook7aLKrW54y0ym9hyphenhyphen20ToQdW0Erd4N1qs2xY8Wi36PIPpe22qsP523P6t5pK5nubpEP2Wu_31ZZNfGGvo0G0OumCOyWS2vrpiCtjWrjHCD4Q/s3000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzIfWmnINhQKtKa8SjY5-3utSslHFMobodZOqQCBfeoRjXvvzcFKhdOv71szPlTFx43y4weERnook7aLKrW54y0ym9hyphenhyphen20ToQdW0Erd4N1qs2xY8Wi36PIPpe22qsP523P6t5pK5nubpEP2Wu_31ZZNfGGvo0G0OumCOyWS2vrpiCtjWrjHCD4Q/w640-h320/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Fortunately, our post-diarrhea lunch at <a href="https://bali.com/places/warung-nasi-ayam-bu-oki/">Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki</a> in Nusa Dua settled well but we missed the sunset at Kuta Beach and ended up with a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satay">sate babi</a> dinner after exploring the evening atmosphere of the Kuta Market and exchanging our last $100 for IRD 14,500,000 that partly paid for the next day's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padang_cuisine">Padang</a> breakfast. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">4 kilometers in 54 minutes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK3jmQCeeaim9nC30tvAKAOZ_gfL_5UnYJrlZBDk66jwybQcaSnkUYgs_6U3XqfwbEYV2kmSAaBxJoBSHqHWIOv_ml48qlRkbJBxqMR-NyqBdkL_TqoqXi7EgpvzS00Rc36IkcDUqleeMA1moxvtVeHeOh_zooG5pD5W4I9aVJ5zJcPWwPnO52A/s3504/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2628" data-original-width="3504" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK3jmQCeeaim9nC30tvAKAOZ_gfL_5UnYJrlZBDk66jwybQcaSnkUYgs_6U3XqfwbEYV2kmSAaBxJoBSHqHWIOv_ml48qlRkbJBxqMR-NyqBdkL_TqoqXi7EgpvzS00Rc36IkcDUqleeMA1moxvtVeHeOh_zooG5pD5W4I9aVJ5zJcPWwPnO52A/w640-h480/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzZQLLPaWtq6THLb1xwbshRIxYwun2doswzs8kPD_Uieo6JTFbIu6OjqAMQtbn2zSXvgkI5XYR9tn-AmL9DQhasj6Ks7BiaSFB_lWtkF14fLks-xctVVVrM9r-7T3ucgBqF9YoJdJXincoYagqwLh2et4CpetrPlytcMykw7Lk0_Ydwy3lrxtcw/s3508/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzZQLLPaWtq6THLb1xwbshRIxYwun2doswzs8kPD_Uieo6JTFbIu6OjqAMQtbn2zSXvgkI5XYR9tn-AmL9DQhasj6Ks7BiaSFB_lWtkF14fLks-xctVVVrM9r-7T3ucgBqF9YoJdJXincoYagqwLh2et4CpetrPlytcMykw7Lk0_Ydwy3lrxtcw/w640-h452/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">We have been warned of the horrendous traffic to the Ngurah Rai International Airport which means we will really miss the famous Kuta sunset so we walked to the market instead the morning before our flight, had that Padang breakfast, went through the list of the dead etched at the Bali Bombing Memorial, haggled for Balong's souvenir key chains, hydrated with coconuts at Kuta Beach while watching surfers clash with the waves before Grabbing back to the hotel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">3 kilometers in 31 minutes.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGAns1NNy312AZTjZJLBL-Ek6MCyufql7tOhePsx-l-_EIfn-r9586Qv75_vEXAcLiGmMvHRvk-qcoe_7D9c3WV8mxFfGRhRjlZVRXvV6tE7_3WK0G12kniOMO7Hy1LbhwnrZ7TZQ6TK4_s4hzCL7rAbtsDwL_Ep3wgwHYSbl1m9qWng6Wq79gA/s3508/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGAns1NNy312AZTjZJLBL-Ek6MCyufql7tOhePsx-l-_EIfn-r9586Qv75_vEXAcLiGmMvHRvk-qcoe_7D9c3WV8mxFfGRhRjlZVRXvV6tE7_3WK0G12kniOMO7Hy1LbhwnrZ7TZQ6TK4_s4hzCL7rAbtsDwL_Ep3wgwHYSbl1m9qWng6Wq79gA/w640-h452/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p><span style="font-size: large;">By then, we realized that we just want to go home and decided to Grab a <i>sate</i> feast for lunch to honor the memory of our excellent dinner at Pasar Desa Adat Legian, a surprising breakfast at Pura Lempuyang, the regular <i>babi guling</i> for lunch after Tirta Gingga, and that amazing dinner outside Bobocabin. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We headed to the airport by 7 pm although our flight is at 1 am the next day just to be sure that we will survive yesterday's carmageddon, and ended up killing 2.5 hours at the airport's High Tide Bar where we blew our remaining IDR 900,000 while waiting for our check-in gate to open.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">6.7 kilometers in 30 minutes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcdFxvlFgFxWRfatkk_uzCnzw5TCvxnBnhyphenhyphencXFjg8o-UlvDecQln1gQ38q1POHSClhGtr181Ycrs6qhTT9gR_QxT8eHLQIb7QCe9M-14B0blcHXrpXFOGJj-YVDwlFzm8wGAC5abpJgzeFOzpagPHti2D8BAolgVmUs5xiCPJQIJcER0Oqnu29Q/s2183/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2183" data-original-width="1494" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcdFxvlFgFxWRfatkk_uzCnzw5TCvxnBnhyphenhyphencXFjg8o-UlvDecQln1gQ38q1POHSClhGtr181Ycrs6qhTT9gR_QxT8eHLQIb7QCe9M-14B0blcHXrpXFOGJj-YVDwlFzm8wGAC5abpJgzeFOzpagPHti2D8BAolgVmUs5xiCPJQIJcER0Oqnu29Q/w438-h640/6.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWj2JfNx_NhvEejsfplABJBQVuX0W0P-ZpHYLCghOJqvl5kZKfNCC5KYOZLNL5OHySTEOXRUVS8fMqDE-_29k9MgcI5plmpyRMVVtTHj4gE31St9jdTkJJo3ZpM2AzQJlLYZprJUgqPc6BE3zdpWWdoKRu7nu_epJgc9Jvn_shmB71KN57lZLYA/s2560/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWj2JfNx_NhvEejsfplABJBQVuX0W0P-ZpHYLCghOJqvl5kZKfNCC5KYOZLNL5OHySTEOXRUVS8fMqDE-_29k9MgcI5plmpyRMVVtTHj4gE31St9jdTkJJo3ZpM2AzQJlLYZprJUgqPc6BE3zdpWWdoKRu7nu_epJgc9Jvn_shmB71KN57lZLYA/w640-h360/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2NCwgxsFmby2WpN5Vc1kgPZrTi-NUO8BbIrkDBCPUOuizLpME9vCfukD7H4M8VC3bA1zcL2zdqJZusEWLg2t2qgQlqBdr-iRQUpUl5cj2zhLWnhmXfXema1xwRBAovUayt7-Z4krGAvP7lMEjzXskVqxiiwlkl6AGTuaKXo1io0hBl2F9Cy9ig/s3108/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2331" data-original-width="3108" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2NCwgxsFmby2WpN5Vc1kgPZrTi-NUO8BbIrkDBCPUOuizLpME9vCfukD7H4M8VC3bA1zcL2zdqJZusEWLg2t2qgQlqBdr-iRQUpUl5cj2zhLWnhmXfXema1xwRBAovUayt7-Z4krGAvP7lMEjzXskVqxiiwlkl6AGTuaKXo1io0hBl2F9Cy9ig/w640-h480/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">10 hours after PR 538 took off from Bali, we arrived in Bakal 2 to new bedroom doors being installed and my annual hosting of the Thursday Group's traditional New Year's party before submitting my sleepless self to the mercy of San Miguel Beer pale pilsen 30 minutes before the fireworks welcomed 2024... </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHoTqX7qoZL0yMg3ldWf8p8mzTt-W_xM8lBrAd6T2bBc91-BRlWPXMbL-7xo-P1TFaerNdxmuaGz71W6NN7QOuhF6sV_Dhh38Y5v0TdizP3x4jOPDdNQuDECivfZ13o-QJzUrWyn_2O46X1plzqTmT-KdwF4HC5GNgG8R-OvV-2MKQBKVem-LwQ/s1383/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1383" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHoTqX7qoZL0yMg3ldWf8p8mzTt-W_xM8lBrAd6T2bBc91-BRlWPXMbL-7xo-P1TFaerNdxmuaGz71W6NN7QOuhF6sV_Dhh38Y5v0TdizP3x4jOPDdNQuDECivfZ13o-QJzUrWyn_2O46X1plzqTmT-KdwF4HC5GNgG8R-OvV-2MKQBKVem-LwQ/w640-h476/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-51738649796557476952023-12-29T23:29:00.007+08:002024-01-07T09:12:59.553+08:00UBUD<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Ubud is the soul of Bali.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Bursting with heritage and nestled in terraced and forested mountains, it is a world apart from the hedonistic environs of the beach and bar hot spots.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">She-who-could-not-come have two wishes for our Bali trip: a photo at the Gate of Heaven and a go at Ubud's giant swing, both of which we did without her unfortunately.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The <a href="https://alohaubudswing.com/">Aloha Ubud Swing</a> was in lieu of Pura Besakih that almost did not happen because of the afternoon rain.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">But the rain did stop, I paid IDR 800,000 for the entrance fee of the boys, and they have their giant swing moment in behalf of their Mom. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf_jsRQ5szsM3RweJW4q63tStljABTlhGijy3d_b8Yr7Bsvb6cBQI8R8po_OjIqSnj1GvmykXVgJHGlyulZSu091qCdkiPJoB5cFhmBw3GJy5y-8Sqxls601qXvJXOT23Qx1t2tWWdnvadrEMu3jgo4jHf7IUhTTVupW2sQR7xnvz0vdgpsjUDw/s3000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXf_jsRQ5szsM3RweJW4q63tStljABTlhGijy3d_b8Yr7Bsvb6cBQI8R8po_OjIqSnj1GvmykXVgJHGlyulZSu091qCdkiPJoB5cFhmBw3GJy5y-8Sqxls601qXvJXOT23Qx1t2tWWdnvadrEMu3jgo4jHf7IUhTTVupW2sQR7xnvz0vdgpsjUDw/w640-h320/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The narrow winding roads can be terrifying though and our vehicle's front wheel actually fell into a huge pothole along a deep ravine as our driver tried to navigate a tight two-way traffic on our way to the <a href="https://www.baliriceterrace.com/blog/ceking-rice-terrace-bali,-natural-point-you-should-visit-in-ubud.html">Ceking Rice Terraces</a>, part of Bali's UNESCO World Heritage Site, </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">where we did a mini trek up and down the hills not realizing that there was actually a zip line across the glen that can bring us to the other side and back for a fee of IDR 350,000 each.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEI5ewAQByh10bBICFqbvXNqkfhXaWVmbv9THMnjqwaKM4kk5Heh6U1gZB7VdbrYDArWMsToAeB_0wjLkdbhVzdY8zNEjrp7zTKjxXTP2Nf_2NLqTPN6LfwuNBV1WvS79L3VkkSExSuOaBNxoTrq_AIQswesJqykWy9ABfszjCei9HxmwaLUP7Q/s2854/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2095" data-original-width="2854" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEI5ewAQByh10bBICFqbvXNqkfhXaWVmbv9THMnjqwaKM4kk5Heh6U1gZB7VdbrYDArWMsToAeB_0wjLkdbhVzdY8zNEjrp7zTKjxXTP2Nf_2NLqTPN6LfwuNBV1WvS79L3VkkSExSuOaBNxoTrq_AIQswesJqykWy9ABfszjCei9HxmwaLUP7Q/w640-h470/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD45YPxQ70VQ8GY3Zh4Qk_pa0_DHthFDU4vycF0_8TxAXE68i8rqu39zSQjvky4U3SBH_adZNN_GWo0Iw69WEjvadlq3JLGzO1s7bpPStHbae8yvhFETKH6WWwUS7rr9B-DnSn_Heu0QQX_i3XO0yVaWXY-I7mmlltvLUueXsB7cCUv00EGdAI9g/s3508/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD45YPxQ70VQ8GY3Zh4Qk_pa0_DHthFDU4vycF0_8TxAXE68i8rqu39zSQjvky4U3SBH_adZNN_GWo0Iw69WEjvadlq3JLGzO1s7bpPStHbae8yvhFETKH6WWwUS7rr9B-DnSn_Heu0QQX_i3XO0yVaWXY-I7mmlltvLUueXsB7cCUv00EGdAI9g/w640-h452/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">At the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tegenungan_Waterfall">Tegenungan Waterfall</a>, we trekked down steep concrete steps and went back up with the memory of inadvertently watching a tourist change from wet bikini to dry panty while we lick our gelato ice creams. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9ON2fMgr7SZRFFhZ3Qed0ZEt9Zqnnw5FjxwY8sISJKujqMD6VbHDHzOvYhe2UqUMB38jq84VLP21GReHVokLScaDff7PHbnrH0YUTxEpWx1H6nJHITeu1eKi26Lhw9w8d0P6n__IByCStLy9pJ5acX4O2yQ3VnJeiAqy34W4E531y28bAtL5uA/s2296/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1784" data-original-width="2296" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9ON2fMgr7SZRFFhZ3Qed0ZEt9Zqnnw5FjxwY8sISJKujqMD6VbHDHzOvYhe2UqUMB38jq84VLP21GReHVokLScaDff7PHbnrH0YUTxEpWx1H6nJHITeu1eKi26Lhw9w8d0P6n__IByCStLy9pJ5acX4O2yQ3VnJeiAqy34W4E531y28bAtL5uA/w640-h498/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91jv0iCNc1bkdfpCBfRpqghaHnVrMfEuLFYSJv8i__U4HchHLQapj7kxTYWeYzsmldHASXaTt3qUbKfYfLtSh2AhH2olujXup_SMWtfAKeO81Cyr5pJPXRzUmjmdjPHe4lK0LUfPqMQUTnhCV_1OGsaXLzYeGbooKPDEyGUeWjGqjWc1u5Cv-xw/s2296/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="2296" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91jv0iCNc1bkdfpCBfRpqghaHnVrMfEuLFYSJv8i__U4HchHLQapj7kxTYWeYzsmldHASXaTt3qUbKfYfLtSh2AhH2olujXup_SMWtfAKeO81Cyr5pJPXRzUmjmdjPHe4lK0LUfPqMQUTnhCV_1OGsaXLzYeGbooKPDEyGUeWjGqjWc1u5Cv-xw/w640-h554/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">At the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubud_Monkey_Forest">Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary</a>, apes observe a human discreetly pull up her skirt to pee under a footbridge while a Balinese funeral ceremony is being performed nearby.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBwqPkpBkWzN61PULtpj8s_coomHzbGVNReAWG56itOsvcznmVfMWC8v4H4i2rdiWwyagL2USkrfCZ7-d0towGXxDGE8foA7RXMqvH7BkxbATqsWCNfZQmMV3HGwCmxs7OAD_IQTuBzfzO_LjlamVip9iXFSu5tH0r3nmZ_KH-f2wOD1YYiAeWA/s3000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBwqPkpBkWzN61PULtpj8s_coomHzbGVNReAWG56itOsvcznmVfMWC8v4H4i2rdiWwyagL2USkrfCZ7-d0towGXxDGE8foA7RXMqvH7BkxbATqsWCNfZQmMV3HGwCmxs7OAD_IQTuBzfzO_LjlamVip9iXFSu5tH0r3nmZ_KH-f2wOD1YYiAeWA/w640-h320/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.tripsavvy.com/warung-ibu-oka-balinese-dining-experience-1629937">Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka in Ubud</a> was made famous by Anthony Bourdain and we had a late lunch there, the most probable culprit of a diarrhea attack that later came for Bulan and me, and perhaps the lone Chinese lady too who was nursing a big Bintang in a nearby table. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Across is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubud_Palace">Ubud Palace</a>, the official residence of the royal family and the only attraction where we don't have to pay an entrance fee maybe because there's not much to see which is why we ended killing time and avoiding the heat in an airconditioned Starbucks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Ee_maM3sIf0iMPLPdbb5Qph7viHT074iglPmIes2U_9CEeIES2RzY4S_eoUAfXbRh5XMU0diue6ApJxieLWEpYY4jD3hAAQIq5OWt5l7VxEDlubtxttMzDhCu1nmmZw0xz_-G6YoLP91eJMWvlbE7lfCEWz8LYxjwjxYazRvgIBhyq4txhSmQ/s3000/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Ee_maM3sIf0iMPLPdbb5Qph7viHT074iglPmIes2U_9CEeIES2RzY4S_eoUAfXbRh5XMU0diue6ApJxieLWEpYY4jD3hAAQIq5OWt5l7VxEDlubtxttMzDhCu1nmmZw0xz_-G6YoLP91eJMWvlbE7lfCEWz8LYxjwjxYazRvgIBhyq4txhSmQ/w640-h320/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">With 2.5 hours to go before the Legong Trance and Paradise Dance, we donned sweaty <i>sarongs</i>, kimonos and <i><a href="https://www.nowbali.co.id/udeng-the-traditional-headress-of-balinese-men/">udeng</a>s</i> at the nearby <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura_Taman_Saraswati">Ubud Water Palace</a> for a fee of IDR 50,0000 each.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">With 1.5 hours to go, an aggressive stall owner tried to sell us Balinese shirts at the new <a href="https://www.ubudcenter.com/ubud-art-market/">Ubud Art Market</a> but Bulan bought souvenir magnets from a nice lady instead while Balong entertained himself inspecting penis replicas in various forms.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">With 0.5 hours to go, we had a happy hour mojito at the Arang Sate Bar so I can use their toilet for the first surge of a possible diarrhea. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQh6_ft6wzFXQKP_R3I1bIp5LklfTOvprn_AO0nsYvkj0sbeb4DoTXdFZzXwzm4TmWJnWvqT5Vwj0pM2EZGEZxqZHf6uhzRU0DEmElAbBZH8IeLvt__K-Kup5eM3YraaB53RWhx2j1G8Cvj8MChfHkTVXoEWB9V3RDpz5gduGRLk7-4BDol7t7xQ/s3508/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQh6_ft6wzFXQKP_R3I1bIp5LklfTOvprn_AO0nsYvkj0sbeb4DoTXdFZzXwzm4TmWJnWvqT5Vwj0pM2EZGEZxqZHf6uhzRU0DEmElAbBZH8IeLvt__K-Kup5eM3YraaB53RWhx2j1G8Cvj8MChfHkTVXoEWB9V3RDpz5gduGRLk7-4BDol7t7xQ/w640-h452/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrLZAx-uNVi8lLAj6FI-e54utwSkPWRUzw9hRIDfuTkve_-YxHhdk4rTACneoKqdBVTytvJfxwHtSAm7ucizJGIf5FGLLFpM-WLWrPLDnWFd2YWkk-ErIoo7IfbOe7JrRGd7KoIDccCF9BwLipT4GdRpePe8_Vvpg4zdb2G_fY8jfQGcIOl9ZEA/s3924/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3924" data-original-width="2820" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrLZAx-uNVi8lLAj6FI-e54utwSkPWRUzw9hRIDfuTkve_-YxHhdk4rTACneoKqdBVTytvJfxwHtSAm7ucizJGIf5FGLLFpM-WLWrPLDnWFd2YWkk-ErIoo7IfbOe7JrRGd7KoIDccCF9BwLipT4GdRpePe8_Vvpg4zdb2G_fY8jfQGcIOl9ZEA/w460-h640/9.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legong">Legong Trance and Paradise Dance</a> show have two parts that took 2 hours to perform: four acts of solo and group dances followed by the Ballet of Bimaniu. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">By the second hour, interest began to wane and spectators start walking to the exit but we stayed because Balong was enthusiastic and insisted on finishing the whole package until a soft rain threathened the last 10 minutes of it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">That night at Bobocabin, Bulan had a tidal wave of diarrhea and I had mine the next day at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penglipuran">Pelingpuran Traditional Village</a> which we tried to treat with snake fruit and durian as we head back to Denpasar for the last stage of our Bali Christmas story. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ecs2TRy9cAyyBUvBb7hTeoLWC8SsMJ0v-ZgG4cnpiu7FyAX3Adao_4Kd5ouwtQd2K5Ift5XU8yyoeHXMKjgm0KG64SjZzHzJQGMqadVhk30BTeprAyjoVS6j9UvFMaZF6CViwX25eNyMSX5kyretzNeOItBLjirRGnagom9O5n6lgjTyjVtMkw/s3060/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="3060" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ecs2TRy9cAyyBUvBb7hTeoLWC8SsMJ0v-ZgG4cnpiu7FyAX3Adao_4Kd5ouwtQd2K5Ift5XU8yyoeHXMKjgm0KG64SjZzHzJQGMqadVhk30BTeprAyjoVS6j9UvFMaZF6CViwX25eNyMSX5kyretzNeOItBLjirRGnagom9O5n6lgjTyjVtMkw/w640-h472/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE-IzOLusHfyu4YNe0MP_5Y4uoy5_tpV_6n-2yXidxxXJcZDK-FtKBm7OcyR-0cR4WHw74iQZCcexsnxAnyKiJrrnyUdQKBglK4o1CIT2q5cJA5rJCeXwgCd1MDTt5vjPTX1W2Gr3mqnQxF-dhrFVeJQ32xvPfnuQh9EIJS_VRuVbeqQjm4um1g/s1791/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1375" data-original-width="1791" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE-IzOLusHfyu4YNe0MP_5Y4uoy5_tpV_6n-2yXidxxXJcZDK-FtKBm7OcyR-0cR4WHw74iQZCcexsnxAnyKiJrrnyUdQKBglK4o1CIT2q5cJA5rJCeXwgCd1MDTt5vjPTX1W2Gr3mqnQxF-dhrFVeJQ32xvPfnuQh9EIJS_VRuVbeqQjm4um1g/w640-h492/11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-78532367749792790162023-12-27T23:49:00.041+08:002024-01-02T10:47:53.920+08:00THE GATES OF HEAVEN<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Agung">Mt. Agung</a> is the highest point in Bali while <a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura_Penataran_Agung_Lempuyang">Pura Lempuyang</a> is one of Bali's six holiest places of prayer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Balinese Hindus consider Mt. Agung as a representation of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Meru">Mt. Meru</a>, the spiritual central axis of the universe of three beliefs, and is therefore the equivalent of heaven. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Pura Lempuyang's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candi_bentar"><i>candi bentar</i></a> or split gateway is actually the entrance to the middle zone of the temple that leads to the most sacred and holiest zone which directly faces Mt. Agung.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">From the viewpoint of the holiest of holies, the <i>candi bentar</i> appears to be a portal to Mt. Agung and tourists who were mesmerized by this amazing panorama eventually referred to it as the Gate of Heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We were Number 122 in the photo queue that took a 3-hour early morning trip from Seminyak and another 3-hour wait but we nailed the Gate of Heaven although she who really wanted it was not with us and that is so sad and disappointing. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhF0cxX3Ma9ntEgcIi6eRjOgewuAcNWsHTDsxUvUoZLENfvcJ4_aFrkNxlaRqh8q68nu5H3QbNXr1IWqFv4uLdz10qaWxN8aTyms8ZYnrsnEE6Kt_9uMFiOMjwHzKtYqaciWu0Kd8GwQB6epmJ2NfR6kowu9cKpKZRd3ql2uGMFTprVXg4GOQLg/s3000/MixCollage-27-Dec-2023-10-15-PM-9451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhF0cxX3Ma9ntEgcIi6eRjOgewuAcNWsHTDsxUvUoZLENfvcJ4_aFrkNxlaRqh8q68nu5H3QbNXr1IWqFv4uLdz10qaWxN8aTyms8ZYnrsnEE6Kt_9uMFiOMjwHzKtYqaciWu0Kd8GwQB6epmJ2NfR6kowu9cKpKZRd3ql2uGMFTprVXg4GOQLg/w640-h320/MixCollage-27-Dec-2023-10-15-PM-9451.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0ov9LTg9kwkQhQE8ZzfCff6YNK1q_oQZC4acRhhlBV2VBnnfM3fXKqo00zMDObfSV0MKhQygl8llcSwTF8kliD5JPTc8fIvFveRAgo4qe4BIWAboT-3ChdNdKnfVYDk2itOz4nrS4ioZF4CTQ7ERzU689YE-qz0mZK2QmqtOsEh_SSi2l1vdbQ/s3060/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2409" data-original-width="3060" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0ov9LTg9kwkQhQE8ZzfCff6YNK1q_oQZC4acRhhlBV2VBnnfM3fXKqo00zMDObfSV0MKhQygl8llcSwTF8kliD5JPTc8fIvFveRAgo4qe4BIWAboT-3ChdNdKnfVYDk2itOz4nrS4ioZF4CTQ7ERzU689YE-qz0mZK2QmqtOsEh_SSi2l1vdbQ/w640-h504/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It was not our first gate of heaven though. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thieving monkeys distracted us in Pura Uluwatu but on the day after Christmas, we followed two Japanese ladies to the <i>candi bentar</i> of</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura_Taman_Ayun" style="font-family: times;">Pura Taman Ayun</a><span style="font-family: times;"> that leads to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paduraksa"><i>paduraksa</i></a>, the locked gate to the most sacred main sanctum where <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meru_tower"><i>meru</i> tower</a>s of different heights reach to the heavens. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Pura Taman Ayun or the "Temple of the Floating Garden" was established in the 17th century and is exlusive to Bali royalty. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">It is part of an ancient <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subak_(irrigation)"><i>subak</i></a> irrigation system that has been declared as a cultural landscape of Bali and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Y0T87zzJN9AbCY5G3_aSjkaQ-bxLIJLrS0o9txWqaGkNbDfAFt-2dgcIfthvn8Shf9NscFuQe9FMQv0S-NHLeK-vZ9Khu3vru6Co-WV0JySkm1GF9PiftF99fp2rKgGd9VIxX9RcPNzGoJRmhnuvPTUJmK43I1VrRhVZjKqTF1UiyGLiQN8bJw/s3060/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="3060" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Y0T87zzJN9AbCY5G3_aSjkaQ-bxLIJLrS0o9txWqaGkNbDfAFt-2dgcIfthvn8Shf9NscFuQe9FMQv0S-NHLeK-vZ9Khu3vru6Co-WV0JySkm1GF9PiftF99fp2rKgGd9VIxX9RcPNzGoJRmhnuvPTUJmK43I1VrRhVZjKqTF1UiyGLiQN8bJw/w640-h486/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoVFAAZrIvS60Yp62-l8D1F8XoKMvfkLDJ0uiuogPHEeokzIDWDpIvt_6VlujQRG30v-mwQQjJdIsiGS_1AuINRL_i8-7bDdc5nKSiyOgxXOOzTvdNGZoJOHCkcacplbplOvfIFJ2WWooRGFxcMrrJ31-lnSlxp0H1wBscX510YUHeoDz54FRzQ/s3028/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2333" data-original-width="3028" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoVFAAZrIvS60Yp62-l8D1F8XoKMvfkLDJ0uiuogPHEeokzIDWDpIvt_6VlujQRG30v-mwQQjJdIsiGS_1AuINRL_i8-7bDdc5nKSiyOgxXOOzTvdNGZoJOHCkcacplbplOvfIFJ2WWooRGFxcMrrJ31-lnSlxp0H1wBscX510YUHeoDz54FRzQ/w640-h494/2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">Some 34 kilometers from this part of heaven is <a href="https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali/ulun-danu-beratan">Pura Ulun Danu</a>, a water temple along the shores of Lake Beratan that is 1,500 meters above sea level in the Bedugul Highlands where we were entertained with a traditional Balinese dance after passing through its </span><i style="font-family: times;">candi bentar</i><span style="font-family: times;">. </span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In Balinese Hindu temples, the height of the <i>meru</i> towers is determined by the importance of the gods who are believed to temporarily reside in them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Meru towers are representations of Mt. Meru that is replicated as Mt. Agung in Bali and are therefore symbolical heavens.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0hcZqiF9M5OHwiRWHqBPbS3USzGKsq6qvt-DvMiGbq3lMIxmwujyTi0Op7NrACVEllgLN2tf48jbqMwRiDLxUopKkTWngW8waVrZqI9V9N9WldDBOpe8i1M7uCU3lmSQ9VZLz6lJB8xgnA-aHWArdS-33MDieBJR3Om2xB7Sbsb7wdMXniimtA/s2804/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="2022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0hcZqiF9M5OHwiRWHqBPbS3USzGKsq6qvt-DvMiGbq3lMIxmwujyTi0Op7NrACVEllgLN2tf48jbqMwRiDLxUopKkTWngW8waVrZqI9V9N9WldDBOpe8i1M7uCU3lmSQ9VZLz6lJB8xgnA-aHWArdS-33MDieBJR3Om2xB7Sbsb7wdMXniimtA/w462-h640/4.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEDJDiHWJR4wARg8UWg9-stD7V05OA6FkqRhKPm8EMzT5ddsfyEI3VGgJSIosERRRPHiwXGwQUz1_hUSnRhvZeRkmymIXtjEMSB4_rgHrv3bg2CwNnacVpH5DqDYZRwNIUU2hLsn19s17RLu28F4c8htnMowng8IME-GcgfVdG-TvZXhjGK23rg/s3040/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2280" data-original-width="3040" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEDJDiHWJR4wARg8UWg9-stD7V05OA6FkqRhKPm8EMzT5ddsfyEI3VGgJSIosERRRPHiwXGwQUz1_hUSnRhvZeRkmymIXtjEMSB4_rgHrv3bg2CwNnacVpH5DqDYZRwNIUU2hLsn19s17RLu28F4c8htnMowng8IME-GcgfVdG-TvZXhjGK23rg/w640-h480/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">At more than 600 hectares, the <a href="https://www.indonesia.travel/id/en/destinations/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali/jatiluwih">Jatiluwih Rice Terraces</a> is the biggest of Bali's declared cultural landscape --- the traditional <i>subak</i> irrigation system that is directly linked to two water temples one of which is Pura Ulun Danu. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It's not as huge and aestheticaly alluring as our Ifugao rice terraces but again, the amazing story here is the irrigation and not the terraces. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5h5oqMhO4-UkvPT5q_Is_ryY1palICkXw2yzPrqPXWgkDyTI0lVOnr3TyHTVESC3OXhKP5qkhxyPIBR0G8-oZ7BhamRCSOKJPRAPHfwdmAdfS5SThYSwR6csSPmT2k58_RJvpcVgE2c_Sbk7U1f9udTraCZHArNi6YDwn68s81qJAgDUHnfd9hg/s3622/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2542" data-original-width="3622" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5h5oqMhO4-UkvPT5q_Is_ryY1palICkXw2yzPrqPXWgkDyTI0lVOnr3TyHTVESC3OXhKP5qkhxyPIBR0G8-oZ7BhamRCSOKJPRAPHfwdmAdfS5SThYSwR6csSPmT2k58_RJvpcVgE2c_Sbk7U1f9udTraCZHArNi6YDwn68s81qJAgDUHnfd9hg/w640-h450/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpkmBCPEPPPk2QcsD5jfINSfwlWT-hChtdkYZkRssGO92HGyr1o6DnAQ7yDlzMAWTD7TPY8E_kCHi1JpaHyYwMAc4hRhHj1JY0OKAKnQOlTAHTIFqKoO1bqTNl-A_yJrNliENDkZBgTGs6eiQpGtnsOTRKPaL0-ZMXKBRDoYt6pTjLiRKi7AbQA/s3508/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpkmBCPEPPPk2QcsD5jfINSfwlWT-hChtdkYZkRssGO92HGyr1o6DnAQ7yDlzMAWTD7TPY8E_kCHi1JpaHyYwMAc4hRhHj1JY0OKAKnQOlTAHTIFqKoO1bqTNl-A_yJrNliENDkZBgTGs6eiQpGtnsOTRKPaL0-ZMXKBRDoYt6pTjLiRKi7AbQA/w640-h452/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Finally, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanah_Lot">Pura Tanah Lot</a> or the "Temple of the Land in the Sea", so called because it was built in an off-shore rock in the 16th century and the most famous of Bali's seven sea temples. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">We are supposed to watch its beautiful sunset but we were early, we were bathing in sweat and we were tired so opted instead for a blessing of its sacred spring water that came with </span><span style="font-family: times;">rice kernels pressed in our foreheads, and flowers tucked behind our ears.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">There are too many curious people and the market overshadowed the two <i>candi bentar</i> that leads out to the subdued <i>meru</i> of the sacred islet that is said to be protected by venomous sea snakes who talked with us in <a href="https://www.wizardingworld.com/fact-file/magical-miscellany/parseltongue">parseltongue</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We should take off now to beat the Bali rush hour traffic they said, which we did and got caught up with. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDDmDMP5XQ37h6s1ViKTe2CO0NqUxp9A-MhRnCgSxDzzR4E3XTN2stVxpb1JlFo4MgkaMGtOTiQcMs6f8Cg5IjyRmPbK_BXjC7f-ElQrLvl17CgLnuonOpdwxK9fBDEu5YkW0DlePecwkssZCiMzIL90Lje4nJ-iJmkSHw0hl_as0ouJOnYyBzA/s3169/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2376" data-original-width="3169" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDDmDMP5XQ37h6s1ViKTe2CO0NqUxp9A-MhRnCgSxDzzR4E3XTN2stVxpb1JlFo4MgkaMGtOTiQcMs6f8Cg5IjyRmPbK_BXjC7f-ElQrLvl17CgLnuonOpdwxK9fBDEu5YkW0DlePecwkssZCiMzIL90Lje4nJ-iJmkSHw0hl_as0ouJOnYyBzA/w640-h480/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWl-oeQ8IwdcHK9A3egLzeoYjWwr6QfsMvQVKvIK_E0dhoU7IlD0IPINTo-LMz4cW0rfTqGcGz374W-lgsQds_bl4UnYtylqFe2EGTybMDGgLx4AVogoemP0Wu6DwHKMKWAuSq1doZGdKlzbwaa7UK6aH7OH82zux-k55EegTPwYIpwk62GIReg/s3000/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWl-oeQ8IwdcHK9A3egLzeoYjWwr6QfsMvQVKvIK_E0dhoU7IlD0IPINTo-LMz4cW0rfTqGcGz374W-lgsQds_bl4UnYtylqFe2EGTybMDGgLx4AVogoemP0Wu6DwHKMKWAuSq1doZGdKlzbwaa7UK6aH7OH82zux-k55EegTPwYIpwk62GIReg/w640-h320/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXGNPqlxMqE4jfwhsnMcd9T8ZHeqF-lyz8AEsJ3W27rOPtRrhU6lNHt6l0y0_Zrx0itB7gPSxs2hOEhfkNmghPRXJByl2kkyLs_l124mew3absXuR5tYrj7a1limZ3S8t9yCGBZny5yfeivV288XjVWIkiKjlBDLFJcT4xexbW25FlEfLafpLwQ/s3649/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2619" data-original-width="3649" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXGNPqlxMqE4jfwhsnMcd9T8ZHeqF-lyz8AEsJ3W27rOPtRrhU6lNHt6l0y0_Zrx0itB7gPSxs2hOEhfkNmghPRXJByl2kkyLs_l124mew3absXuR5tYrj7a1limZ3S8t9yCGBZny5yfeivV288XjVWIkiKjlBDLFJcT4xexbW25FlEfLafpLwQ/w640-h460/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Pura Lempuyang's Gate of Heaven is the climax of these mini-heavens that was initially planned to be punctuated with a piligrimage to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besakih_Temple">Pura Besakih</a>, the "mother temple" of Balinese Hinduism perched 1,000 meters above sea level in the slopes of Mt. Agung.</span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But first, a short visit to <a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirta_Gangga">Tirta Gangga</a>, a former royal palace that was built in 1946 and named after the Ganges River that turned out to be a dud and that is where temple fatigue set in. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Bli Newa informed us that it will take 1.5 hours to reach Pura Besaki and another 1.5 hours to Ubod.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">That and the reported extortion of tourists by local gangs made us decide to skip Pura Besakih --- the most important, largest and holiest Hindu temple in Bali --- and go for a famous swing in Ubud instead.</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AxtFNqCGOqK43DwaewyGZpHdQTJZcGkIXsYJJoOd2JYkyqqRaSG9er5KIwhqQJ75oerRB8Sni6pWiGZoO51ARwYqyTIYcau4Iv1edqkSPMqCAGHw7g_3lRKD8ONsZJObsLX4o950Fh-m6Y3-dck8y-6u17f64J4Me71QsUVHqCszbi9pThniTA/s2198/20231227_115443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1793" data-original-width="2198" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AxtFNqCGOqK43DwaewyGZpHdQTJZcGkIXsYJJoOd2JYkyqqRaSG9er5KIwhqQJ75oerRB8Sni6pWiGZoO51ARwYqyTIYcau4Iv1edqkSPMqCAGHw7g_3lRKD8ONsZJObsLX4o950Fh-m6Y3-dck8y-6u17f64J4Me71QsUVHqCszbi9pThniTA/w640-h522/20231227_115443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFAiyakLEx_110SUmLPXwDz7XdQzLRuXSQLeAtd7CnpUsK9ckXJxb5pufIO7EVy9jImeYenBxoOBJxv_-D_zKAsRFwQ4B36sInZIQmlrvtu6ywu30TnMdSYdMjKqdAPck8I5z4rkqKqJ9ZT-5kZz4EdkdorGSGsKr1oQpd_IMX4-XGJ2gkvCLnw/s3508/MixCollage-27-Dec-2023-10-29-PM-118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFAiyakLEx_110SUmLPXwDz7XdQzLRuXSQLeAtd7CnpUsK9ckXJxb5pufIO7EVy9jImeYenBxoOBJxv_-D_zKAsRFwQ4B36sInZIQmlrvtu6ywu30TnMdSYdMjKqdAPck8I5z4rkqKqJ9ZT-5kZz4EdkdorGSGsKr1oQpd_IMX4-XGJ2gkvCLnw/w640-h452/MixCollage-27-Dec-2023-10-29-PM-118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-79809717960419802202023-12-26T18:42:00.003+08:002024-01-01T11:28:50.968+08:00CHRISTMAS IN ULUWATU<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpu_Kuturan">Empu Kutruran</a> is a ghost and it was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dang_Hyang_Nirartha">Danghyang Nirarthas</a> who transformed a fossilized ship into what is now the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uluwatu_Temple">Uluwatu Temple</a> so a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crab-eating_macaque">crab-eating macaque</a> can steal Kuya Bulan's eyewear on Christmas Day 15 minutes after this photo was taken by Bli Subena who piloted our Christmas car and bought our entrance tickets.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cgtvfd7M2un035Sk3rlksW-ZzBGm4L_YwsMUguZ4zgjGtkh5Y90ke8RGSywXsu-rvDqyhzg-gcvW0oPaEsGw0-tADVgcNS5zhX4bziCtJKpE5VUpk_waRjR-pgucttbDL8pVDqhz94TK3oKahYPzRBDqLm2imBxHS6ntXLAkLSRZQsLlDK1Ulg/s3028/20231226_074716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="3028" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cgtvfd7M2un035Sk3rlksW-ZzBGm4L_YwsMUguZ4zgjGtkh5Y90ke8RGSywXsu-rvDqyhzg-gcvW0oPaEsGw0-tADVgcNS5zhX4bziCtJKpE5VUpk_waRjR-pgucttbDL8pVDqhz94TK3oKahYPzRBDqLm2imBxHS6ntXLAkLSRZQsLlDK1Ulg/w640-h470/20231226_074716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">We have been alerted of the monkey thieves by amateur surfers before they were devoured by the waves of Legian Beach, their warnings echoing in the open kitchen of Depot Chandra while Balong happily cried over a Christmas brunch of Denpasar's best but spicy <i><a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babi_guling">babi guling</a></i>. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7D4YbuDw7H4__Xxc1iilybrnzoNb7txDXJwPZqMAN3CT2zIdlqfeVZw4Wz84N43cl3O7WlI-U3qaIhFkLBLvzLrFghuk4DXbZsshhJDUPPYfaSOlYB75ZSi6CFJfLZYxdE_UVCbBXHIz_JqjnqCPjif3QlYV2DfzKL7pRDlQyHClsmjW4IUmng/s1993/20231226_074826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="1993" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7D4YbuDw7H4__Xxc1iilybrnzoNb7txDXJwPZqMAN3CT2zIdlqfeVZw4Wz84N43cl3O7WlI-U3qaIhFkLBLvzLrFghuk4DXbZsshhJDUPPYfaSOlYB75ZSi6CFJfLZYxdE_UVCbBXHIz_JqjnqCPjif3QlYV2DfzKL7pRDlQyHClsmjW4IUmng/w640-h518/20231226_074826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaskiu08qY0nIx1P4Zq8QPz0YbDDUFP6jJlMc9AywImAWTO0ITshLBXr8RCVvYOR2WrR_nKgDdh4zrY-90cz0Jgr1C9xu3H6zhzH1Oe6sk5vlP7QVkL80_qvj2yg0uwjb818jN5HpQsDVoq4syGo7sBrNJOxxaix2ekiLhJqBvZEyy7tIl9Jr5gQ/s2560/MixCollage-26-Dec-2023-09-46-PM-8805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaskiu08qY0nIx1P4Zq8QPz0YbDDUFP6jJlMc9AywImAWTO0ITshLBXr8RCVvYOR2WrR_nKgDdh4zrY-90cz0Jgr1C9xu3H6zhzH1Oe6sk5vlP7QVkL80_qvj2yg0uwjb818jN5HpQsDVoq4syGo7sBrNJOxxaix2ekiLhJqBvZEyy7tIl9Jr5gQ/w640-h360/MixCollage-26-Dec-2023-09-46-PM-8805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">That same day, Bulan and Balong walked into a crevice that led into a forest of bikini Christmas trees in <a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantai_Padang-Padang">Padang-Padang Beach</a> where iced coffee is brewed in green Bintang bottles and sold as <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_luwak">kopi luwak</a></i> and 12 shots of hot beverages for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eat,_Pray,_Love">Elizabeth Gilbert</a> and the patrons of <a href="https://www.frannywanny.com/2016/08/lumbung-sari-house-of-coffee-in-ubud.html">Lumbung Sari</a>. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionocmqH3wD60jkbu9qmRgzL-RwUevDzXQiaZBt37zJUK_JxGSN8s96px-j6kWoowp6_p3vNrQnFMmz0oja4pBPFeSWR1bQ2CX2FXAj5ykpxfbwRV5RkBU8-ZnM_Wp3luKZtl1eKdwuir4pRvrlgm21c-K_cIiFmmmRilRlv2Ke1f7gw1PDMO1Ug/s3000/MixCollage-26-Dec-2023-09-50-PM-1330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionocmqH3wD60jkbu9qmRgzL-RwUevDzXQiaZBt37zJUK_JxGSN8s96px-j6kWoowp6_p3vNrQnFMmz0oja4pBPFeSWR1bQ2CX2FXAj5ykpxfbwRV5RkBU8-ZnM_Wp3luKZtl1eKdwuir4pRvrlgm21c-K_cIiFmmmRilRlv2Ke1f7gw1PDMO1Ug/w640-h320/MixCollage-26-Dec-2023-09-50-PM-1330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCmJtgsIAmeP3vmBsBBwt_62AkEI6Zi7GjFACDny3wA62azKlzMTRt9vR_USbIIT3zpF42GyTTFFoN7H-GE0IyRDJlQsvumPq59wDYTtePJ0k720KjdJppGZk8itEUuyL_mrJ-A7o9PtSLAIVoHNuKO6fszQjbnn7aa6LXAxCk6uheDaP8Jfmpg/s2968/20231226_075457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2153" data-original-width="2968" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCmJtgsIAmeP3vmBsBBwt_62AkEI6Zi7GjFACDny3wA62azKlzMTRt9vR_USbIIT3zpF42GyTTFFoN7H-GE0IyRDJlQsvumPq59wDYTtePJ0k720KjdJppGZk8itEUuyL_mrJ-A7o9PtSLAIVoHNuKO6fszQjbnn7aa6LXAxCk6uheDaP8Jfmpg/w640-h464/20231226_075457.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Back at the Uluwatu Temple, Bulan's monocle was recovered through a bounty of crumpled Indonesian rupias, washed at a toilet where the pieces were reassembled, the thieving monkey tried and roasted in a <a href="https://kecakdancebali.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAs6-sBhBmEiwA1Nl8s_aVR5nW-DAAz70mFLn2hd9kXLa6vivo3HZ_-GBoUxihvcX0qNc8exoCglgQAvD_BwE">Fire Dance</a> of chanting men and masks as the Timor Sea burned from an invisible sunset. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-RTdU6iq7HQWlEfZ3AQXv3W0J_9UVNWOtwhVElwbPcZm06epWbxlzhRmbcMMg-aBkot7czwAtMWiP4M_h_qn1AVeW8rS8ALKszLnv8MFztU11tRhuGYFqlx1g8k6gS6cl3yTF0bby8x6vRR7nNrrrJxdtOCl1_7qO96gfrtdrgKxrn_YkD4BVw/s3000/MixCollage-26-Dec-2023-09-53-PM-4193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-RTdU6iq7HQWlEfZ3AQXv3W0J_9UVNWOtwhVElwbPcZm06epWbxlzhRmbcMMg-aBkot7czwAtMWiP4M_h_qn1AVeW8rS8ALKszLnv8MFztU11tRhuGYFqlx1g8k6gS6cl3yTF0bby8x6vRR7nNrrrJxdtOCl1_7qO96gfrtdrgKxrn_YkD4BVw/w640-h320/MixCollage-26-Dec-2023-09-53-PM-4193.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN6PDnCrmdEbohIGpkGZhWJG9IXj9dMUdnKanA392yBhcVcnEYd2sWHf8tFf9a1B3S09V_Cdd1kbj6tR6RLm87QKZaHaeH26TuLielcVlLWvHzRYE8bVbSd0InbNn3ko_t69tYPxq3vVt4FZ8d4-_m56URLZySxKEyJGLKWQjcy1zLdHzYuV4VQ/s1836/20231226_075725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1836" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN6PDnCrmdEbohIGpkGZhWJG9IXj9dMUdnKanA392yBhcVcnEYd2sWHf8tFf9a1B3S09V_Cdd1kbj6tR6RLm87QKZaHaeH26TuLielcVlLWvHzRYE8bVbSd0InbNn3ko_t69tYPxq3vVt4FZ8d4-_m56URLZySxKEyJGLKWQjcy1zLdHzYuV4VQ/w640-h478/20231226_075725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzFXhEe47OTe7tTBhyphenhyphenCjzSCuM6osqNyp2wvXKwE4MEqx8tShR044Ak2rAmn3XKakIT8KvakI0-U-uREKR-dBeWQLoLcgYRXF0VYJUHoXNUjtiY6lKSU-4fIqSh0mJB_IBX4fi5rKIhsU0XWQF-ayxNd5oSDYr5p-JktmPLqV6GQYKtYo7Fil2NQ/s3000/MixCollage-26-Dec-2023-09-54-PM-8926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzFXhEe47OTe7tTBhyphenhyphenCjzSCuM6osqNyp2wvXKwE4MEqx8tShR044Ak2rAmn3XKakIT8KvakI0-U-uREKR-dBeWQLoLcgYRXF0VYJUHoXNUjtiY6lKSU-4fIqSh0mJB_IBX4fi5rKIhsU0XWQF-ayxNd5oSDYr5p-JktmPLqV6GQYKtYo7Fil2NQ/w640-h320/MixCollage-26-Dec-2023-09-54-PM-8926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWArKcLP_CUCjPBrzmbTnDbUI1vbfJd-g9YNrHpL9nvsipsrcRR31SerKzUvZsz_MTCPfEZQpuCd6inX4XSFgySX6sVZ7kKFGL8Cx3aEceJu2LtQ82u2IoHlp5sNnJ7MdX2fckblSJiTzDAgpiNegqyTaALaG5QrKvcDbu9o4-a5wED5J_CZwcg/s2708/20231226_080706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1774" data-original-width="2708" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWArKcLP_CUCjPBrzmbTnDbUI1vbfJd-g9YNrHpL9nvsipsrcRR31SerKzUvZsz_MTCPfEZQpuCd6inX4XSFgySX6sVZ7kKFGL8Cx3aEceJu2LtQ82u2IoHlp5sNnJ7MdX2fckblSJiTzDAgpiNegqyTaALaG5QrKvcDbu9o4-a5wED5J_CZwcg/w640-h420/20231226_080706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There were four plates and four wine glasses at the Christmas seafood dinner in Jimbaran Beach, two contented sons, and <a href="https://www.thebalibible.com/details/bbc-beach-bali-cafe-17713">Beach Bali Cafe</a>'s house wine that somehow blunted the emptiness of the fourth chair and the solitary nights at the master's bedroom of <a href="https://www.legiansunsetresidence.com/">The Legian Sunset Residence</a> in Seminyak... </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCPHvcgkPKvS4rreviXTdhV6NpzAFnBms6RcoL73dueKN_9LM0VXXdyPerVFEMWCmU8lCkqh39T6Q5ByUzIACCpENZTkszyfIJ7jMsq__kjUSgPN3fSrfayl6BRn-hjFF9opSgdJapmq7f7Xff6ku-4TMwKLwyvQiFbNKBJCqZUVrlDyWvNifTA/s3645/20231226_081407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3645" data-original-width="2187" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCPHvcgkPKvS4rreviXTdhV6NpzAFnBms6RcoL73dueKN_9LM0VXXdyPerVFEMWCmU8lCkqh39T6Q5ByUzIACCpENZTkszyfIJ7jMsq__kjUSgPN3fSrfayl6BRn-hjFF9opSgdJapmq7f7Xff6ku-4TMwKLwyvQiFbNKBJCqZUVrlDyWvNifTA/w384-h640/20231226_081407.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p></p>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-1392976771449709632023-12-25T06:56:00.001+08:002023-12-25T06:56:34.707+08:007 DAYS TO BALI<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">72 consecutive hours.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was the longest Thursday feast ever --- leftover chop suey and <i>kinilaw na tuna</i>, Italian olives and salami, sliced fruits and ham --- that actually started on a Tuesday after the announcement of an impending departure from O as the confused Luang Prabang bookings morphed into rationale credit card payments. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApgvYSKxA-Td6SXBjpAnkMb-WzDqTq6fhsS_apyqeb81PoeZAuiY4Nf4UHBWAiZ8b5o5PM6U8NFrLGbrygdCMcSegx6eKh6TjINqzbvWJLKq_G9k-vA2Wn7hhkN79OAc45otJ0ihlck-e-out3XS7aSOI-HUi09k21qA2s6EPMwvmV7pg0cftzg/s1898/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1898" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApgvYSKxA-Td6SXBjpAnkMb-WzDqTq6fhsS_apyqeb81PoeZAuiY4Nf4UHBWAiZ8b5o5PM6U8NFrLGbrygdCMcSegx6eKh6TjINqzbvWJLKq_G9k-vA2Wn7hhkN79OAc45otJ0ihlck-e-out3XS7aSOI-HUi09k21qA2s6EPMwvmV7pg0cftzg/w640-h480/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">6 biking days before Bali.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It could have been 7 but only two speakers has confirmed so far, the water source padlocked with electrical wirings from the ceiling project as the updated AWG 2024 group email sent out clarifications on budget charging and a TOIL claim that has not been confirmed.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SPNPyzQaQu4tsrAHEvcXiFt-zNKV34YJy0Z0TyjGMexqt8f4YRcsq-UrKlQjn5BN_8dH8yhZ47ZqISmlGbknw9Ui1-Ce6VvlSLjzH7AXjUJURZqcmfrXbXE5Is_Y2ycYf9g2nzNFySSs1Ael09as9kHTkxduI8kIsbCUHrp1MZ3D2PGIedKfHA/s3508/MixCollage-23-Dec-2023-11-26-AM-4010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SPNPyzQaQu4tsrAHEvcXiFt-zNKV34YJy0Z0TyjGMexqt8f4YRcsq-UrKlQjn5BN_8dH8yhZ47ZqISmlGbknw9Ui1-Ce6VvlSLjzH7AXjUJURZqcmfrXbXE5Is_Y2ycYf9g2nzNFySSs1Ael09as9kHTkxduI8kIsbCUHrp1MZ3D2PGIedKfHA/w640-h452/MixCollage-23-Dec-2023-11-26-AM-4010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">MENA has confirmed on Kathmandu that is now a bucketful of monologue about stakeholder engagement which got the Bali documents printed for the Fellows of the Craft in Baloc and what can be the year's last Christmas party in Bantug where 7,500 of a 10,400 cash gift was blown on light brandy, somebody else's kids, absent goddaughters, and the unexpected costs of dying young in Laur...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuO07E4hGzE4YfGioi39CADVm7hbAdk_bgZpp45MSjNFhiV-8-fsVoYJIiZcDE9uBpw3rPC1Aug_trXH4Ull92pKwMTBOFnkdUXeH-FHCqnvuGgFgtbwrnT-HhUXMQTzNr3_u9vnA-Wwwtz07qiEcv14rhMGKoDdwHci_762gAQNMixtx1yEz-w/s1358/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1358" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuO07E4hGzE4YfGioi39CADVm7hbAdk_bgZpp45MSjNFhiV-8-fsVoYJIiZcDE9uBpw3rPC1Aug_trXH4Ull92pKwMTBOFnkdUXeH-FHCqnvuGgFgtbwrnT-HhUXMQTzNr3_u9vnA-Wwwtz07qiEcv14rhMGKoDdwHci_762gAQNMixtx1yEz-w/w640-h482/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YzTFljRHBoxFuE9GBGnKQ89ZVvQOr58k7mk6iLGV51yKtlfVo8S_44FfYyGPTPjWmHZ7neStaLzXCLiuBjH3yaPYyxi2DWun53XrvMPnqyREVyAu5Ywtqaqw77Pm4iQNieAY9559TLIi5uUuHNHyuA8LEz_Se0H69B91Y0-XSjWQoMFmDu5eDQ/s1055/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1055" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YzTFljRHBoxFuE9GBGnKQ89ZVvQOr58k7mk6iLGV51yKtlfVo8S_44FfYyGPTPjWmHZ7neStaLzXCLiuBjH3yaPYyxi2DWun53XrvMPnqyREVyAu5Ywtqaqw77Pm4iQNieAY9559TLIi5uUuHNHyuA8LEz_Se0H69B91Y0-XSjWQoMFmDu5eDQ/w640-h520/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpPvwkmbvWQmf0TWuIZyKOvX_yRF61pk2D4wwUovBZrs52f_xD65a4PuhK6eSRue8YpbjhQMAfujLKAxMcY9uH4MAa77G5vZ6OYoVdefLSBl292oie6lMf1ZD_yyTXHxUT3iEUadruM4j4wdzb7fkWoJpjUaBpsXMyapENJGOS_Hepp0QCx14fA/s1432/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1432" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpPvwkmbvWQmf0TWuIZyKOvX_yRF61pk2D4wwUovBZrs52f_xD65a4PuhK6eSRue8YpbjhQMAfujLKAxMcY9uH4MAa77G5vZ6OYoVdefLSBl292oie6lMf1ZD_yyTXHxUT3iEUadruM4j4wdzb7fkWoJpjUaBpsXMyapENJGOS_Hepp0QCx14fA/w640-h484/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-67595339491310773712023-12-18T18:06:00.016+08:002023-12-18T18:15:46.652+08:00THE STARS OF SIEM REAP<span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">He was loud, the Chinese man at Starbucks along Mao Tse Tung Boulvevard, so the office at the third floor had him bundled to the new airport in Siem Reap to be displayed among the glittering stars of <a href="https://www.siemreap.net/guides/siem-reap/pub-street/">Pub Street</a> where the accidental panelist dined on grilled pork from the riverbank and grilled beef sausage at the <a href="https://www.tourismcambodia.org/provinces/search/detail/392/night-market-siem-reap">Night Market</a> for the price of an "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/theangkorwhatbar/">Angkor What?</a>" t-shirt. </span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWDnPKHhVzqgiLGEr5NDLT9LYRPu786pSYbXZfFoSBVS3XQXKPC2rXWI4ugiwWDXQo6WJdn5_o18Qy2bYcvTwIh60q6kATSAGJHSIa2i_bndbh6MyD43H8pRLUhuhJrpNkQOSX6_Q-nLBlIt4tZTMAgGeRQQRsqIiHoKCmNHZTRGw0fhDJ4HWDg/s1344/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1344" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWDnPKHhVzqgiLGEr5NDLT9LYRPu786pSYbXZfFoSBVS3XQXKPC2rXWI4ugiwWDXQo6WJdn5_o18Qy2bYcvTwIh60q6kATSAGJHSIa2i_bndbh6MyD43H8pRLUhuhJrpNkQOSX6_Q-nLBlIt4tZTMAgGeRQQRsqIiHoKCmNHZTRGw0fhDJ4HWDg/w640-h468/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48rF5r_0kp6KhahzxCavrJdG-f1YmXi4_gPF_k2DH2xZmihAhaNnDOz-RcT6apN6dFjn2i4rlzrIns_9ylvcA5Xn87xvEXPXi0XIT6zSiX5TMjDvkKo5IQG4dThzRe7eNgkXqEqzcs3EZn65wZXFProAQ3pgJTn2_3uZkzduuWkdEbrE4soC2Iw/s3000/MixCollage-16-Dec-2023-01-25-PM-198.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48rF5r_0kp6KhahzxCavrJdG-f1YmXi4_gPF_k2DH2xZmihAhaNnDOz-RcT6apN6dFjn2i4rlzrIns_9ylvcA5Xn87xvEXPXi0XIT6zSiX5TMjDvkKo5IQG4dThzRe7eNgkXqEqzcs3EZn65wZXFProAQ3pgJTn2_3uZkzduuWkdEbrE4soC2Iw/w640-h320/MixCollage-16-Dec-2023-01-25-PM-198.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">In the universe of the 4th <a href="https://acwc.asean.org/">ACWC</a> Partnership Conference, his star shined bright in Session 3 despite interruptions from Kathmandu and Vientiane, the glitter caught in a pool of dark and draft beer where a dried giant fish was baited with sweet beef jerky and wrapped in a Laotian souvenir bag. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFvPIdAPsDBOg_I0ZU54unduJkCa2J-PEmfZG_qaOmPdwV0K4BF0Tp3-lS3EuYfCECGgEzUhtadhFJdjL5IQKHF-K9AgrP5pQuR7857gKiNmUOUMxLbaNmyAT2a3DMkdEcErEwUTy5-N3F-x0WIur2hPLrCy_5aEkyjCr2cbDHUuR8YyCwAjP5Q/s1407/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1407" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFvPIdAPsDBOg_I0ZU54unduJkCa2J-PEmfZG_qaOmPdwV0K4BF0Tp3-lS3EuYfCECGgEzUhtadhFJdjL5IQKHF-K9AgrP5pQuR7857gKiNmUOUMxLbaNmyAT2a3DMkdEcErEwUTy5-N3F-x0WIur2hPLrCy_5aEkyjCr2cbDHUuR8YyCwAjP5Q/w640-h486/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthhN5-3s3oGOBV5HdWcstpK4CsUuRXEolHHNHvi3ZPqEq-1lYL7hCx-fbWTFDlxkkNxBGZsavoyV1kVXJVDGor2L2rq56IzEwKNMziZB54wp2g-9VJ8m50B5XC2pEmaP2FHCiRi6wggaS4VgL5w1hUIMFLTFhtgTI267qxYvG53h2T94Bt_IUpQ/s1837/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1837" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthhN5-3s3oGOBV5HdWcstpK4CsUuRXEolHHNHvi3ZPqEq-1lYL7hCx-fbWTFDlxkkNxBGZsavoyV1kVXJVDGor2L2rq56IzEwKNMziZB54wp2g-9VJ8m50B5XC2pEmaP2FHCiRi6wggaS4VgL5w1hUIMFLTFhtgTI267qxYvG53h2T94Bt_IUpQ/w640-h472/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><a href="https://redpianocambodia.com/">The Red Piano</a> under a tall Christmas tree played holiday carols, about two Grab car cancellations and superstars announcing their pledges of support as bets were placed on how long can the bladder hold four pints without peeing, the first two paired with a spicy salmon salad and grilled octupos tentacles, the last two with grilled pork ribs and belly before the clock at the tattoo parlor chimed 26.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipSSj3lDsko_S4ZXRlrVcLmohRU6PMYuSdAz5D9sC3wd9m_o7cObJbWGcfznG0xqb3vZQKPXH6_YC2dv4VAC6w-YnThZCCzd56UuhRS1OxgrdZXds_hxu5PSDfAG1dH27Itd2ZRcZUi5EaAfSfyppjo87FPBuiq6uP9bL0iSRgNatru5J1tVIFQ/s1440/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1440" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipSSj3lDsko_S4ZXRlrVcLmohRU6PMYuSdAz5D9sC3wd9m_o7cObJbWGcfznG0xqb3vZQKPXH6_YC2dv4VAC6w-YnThZCCzd56UuhRS1OxgrdZXds_hxu5PSDfAG1dH27Itd2ZRcZUi5EaAfSfyppjo87FPBuiq6uP9bL0iSRgNatru5J1tVIFQ/w640-h460/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ6gEutDNu-z3ij1Jt2bTi4oRbh0Fz9Q8Gx0kTVRMdQxkj-OhlEq6rcXQDc4sytuXCXp9zNO_gnswUqsgsoI_lJuP6g9HO_emqqRz0kz_UxL8QKfOxVdRCQu1Uxt2kkT_ghajSDgQ52K_qA83zGD2a3vhYimmexw9JDz8qeWgZuNEclcY6Oc63A/s3000/MixCollage-16-Dec-2023-01-29-PM-8099.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ6gEutDNu-z3ij1Jt2bTi4oRbh0Fz9Q8Gx0kTVRMdQxkj-OhlEq6rcXQDc4sytuXCXp9zNO_gnswUqsgsoI_lJuP6g9HO_emqqRz0kz_UxL8QKfOxVdRCQu1Uxt2kkT_ghajSDgQ52K_qA83zGD2a3vhYimmexw9JDz8qeWgZuNEclcY6Oc63A/w640-h320/MixCollage-16-Dec-2023-01-29-PM-8099.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvkGiF_TyB0iEKZyjkDzkTB4BbhJDFydlWDBB6TiDO6XREtASWDPt-tehZSCpKhFW6s1r6QEdlp_NbGsijFyHiha-IH0pZW5zNaMpqznwt3WytJz0mTwKvby2W2L-szIZsDaxDIaYR0HUO3PqyPwy8nrVZZ7u4Swqd-4R038l0JehzZOnd2iFIg/s1362/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1362" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvkGiF_TyB0iEKZyjkDzkTB4BbhJDFydlWDBB6TiDO6XREtASWDPt-tehZSCpKhFW6s1r6QEdlp_NbGsijFyHiha-IH0pZW5zNaMpqznwt3WytJz0mTwKvby2W2L-szIZsDaxDIaYR0HUO3PqyPwy8nrVZZ7u4Swqd-4R038l0JehzZOnd2iFIg/w640-h492/12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Time was lost but pee was ably absorbed by 10 plies of Robinsons natural interfolded bamboo paper towels and a pack of <i>keopok udang</i> from Brunei, the megastar of the conference as reported in the bi-monthly I-JET team meeting, that is the two hours lost by Flight K6106 to Phnom Penh as the World Social Forum talked, the time regained by an early check in for Flight PR522 to Manila, an early breakfast of </span><span style="font-family: courier;">Lawson egg sandwich at McDonald's Panay and the ensuing 5-hour wait for a dollar reimbursement, four sets of boarding passes to the EJ impact evaluation, the 4-hour bus ride to Bakal 2 for a birthday bottle of Johnny Walker in Pantok, and finally the star of the show --- a petite Ballantine to celebrate 26 starred years with real friends... </span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA6xSZtLe5DSl5ZndnvpH90Zqqu8p66D2BzE2m_ah5wYrqKR0h6I3kKl_CEt4WaeuYhXLJUVJZ8xZgYs4hSt50Glf5vb-hZv_g2CFKMDQVRWmEeoYgiAhD2wrM6LCzCVpKEQ322lfXQvP3EOrRygrIeKLw2K-nkpEWq72jXtEqjecj-guBFxFng/s1710/13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1710" data-original-width="1265" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA6xSZtLe5DSl5ZndnvpH90Zqqu8p66D2BzE2m_ah5wYrqKR0h6I3kKl_CEt4WaeuYhXLJUVJZ8xZgYs4hSt50Glf5vb-hZv_g2CFKMDQVRWmEeoYgiAhD2wrM6LCzCVpKEQ322lfXQvP3EOrRygrIeKLw2K-nkpEWq72jXtEqjecj-guBFxFng/w474-h640/13.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIydGe_gfk5wa_c35LpmL0sJWUP6HXX1h9tQdeiW0dSzh3I5wi9JNrXRRFBpqG4obi_mgTT9OkF9685Ah1lzp6XCLQ-c6fXMBttUUZZNvTSUOiohH-1lx-KA7c8XrPnj8A3eWlDxqyFkLoUH5qpOjkgQZ3s7fTXge7poe9lSG7wSzgim6tQc8Yig/s1467/14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1467" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIydGe_gfk5wa_c35LpmL0sJWUP6HXX1h9tQdeiW0dSzh3I5wi9JNrXRRFBpqG4obi_mgTT9OkF9685Ah1lzp6XCLQ-c6fXMBttUUZZNvTSUOiohH-1lx-KA7c8XrPnj8A3eWlDxqyFkLoUH5qpOjkgQZ3s7fTXge7poe9lSG7wSzgim6tQc8Yig/w640-h480/14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-7407701833150549652023-12-11T06:50:00.004+08:002023-12-11T06:52:34.209+08:00THE PHNOM PENH LAYOVER <p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">in one day</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">a poet climbed the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuol_Sleng_Genocide_Museum">Hill of the Poisonous Trees</a> to inscribed the minutes of a weekly meeting that documented how the last flight to Siem Reap was secured in Jakarta, who is in the confirmed list to Luang Prabang, what just energy transition and inclusive business would be in the Year of the Wood Dragon, why younger people should be transported to Kathmandu</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO42DjZMlOKR_mCpRXoA9CEIdmkWvjaixIcfLlM6hf-zNgWIIog8ipL3SWxFxp8wcD4NEDks48R0POAjrqQgn6twwtyVD7OQwNvbi8f6lQb77e7MdnR2RoAJeEkut5k_TTv3MjOOTtp-U7mfBsESlFChjzzNLJe72OEGN2uks8ThVmzNz-_svSQ/s2448/20231210_162246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="2448" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO42DjZMlOKR_mCpRXoA9CEIdmkWvjaixIcfLlM6hf-zNgWIIog8ipL3SWxFxp8wcD4NEDks48R0POAjrqQgn6twwtyVD7OQwNvbi8f6lQb77e7MdnR2RoAJeEkut5k_TTv3MjOOTtp-U7mfBsESlFChjzzNLJe72OEGN2uks8ThVmzNz-_svSQ/w640-h534/20231210_162246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">in one hour</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">the novices of <a href="https://helloangkor.com/attractions/wat-wat-toul-tom-poung/">Tuol Tompoung</a> booked hotel rooms at The Coffee shop of the <a href="https://www.indochinaodysseytours.com/cambodia/phnom-penh/psar-tuol-tom-pong-russian-market.html#:~:text=Russian%20Market%20is%20the%20most,War%20goods%20were%20stocked%20here.">Russian Market</a>, bought fish with pending payment requests from Luang Prabang and Johor Bahru, traded a medical reimbursement for meat and $200 </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrAyE_Q5ymrNASiXlXcTiPNO0V4U3VCkh7jK-O179TZrB9pCnM2lVAQTYf_1QRJUXPrOWTmW-_lrJZVvu_JZVjoHCvG6GGBpdLmkgShmNEjtZPCFGa5ueLWZ_zsr86zT1F4XohTT3lQaKWpIzY1LOylwpZM_CJmPbRdCiteFf67bbCgxr7zlOCA/s3000/MixCollage-10-Dec-2023-06-34-PM-3082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrAyE_Q5ymrNASiXlXcTiPNO0V4U3VCkh7jK-O179TZrB9pCnM2lVAQTYf_1QRJUXPrOWTmW-_lrJZVvu_JZVjoHCvG6GGBpdLmkgShmNEjtZPCFGa5ueLWZ_zsr86zT1F4XohTT3lQaKWpIzY1LOylwpZM_CJmPbRdCiteFf67bbCgxr7zlOCA/w640-h320/MixCollage-10-Dec-2023-06-34-PM-3082.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">in one afternoon<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">the vendors of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Market_(Phnom_Penh)">Phsar Thmey</a> were done installing the upper level ceiling of the house in Bakal 2, replaced the main water line and restored a dead hand pump, ordered bedroom door replacements and upgraded the cable to optical fiber, disposed pre-Covid books and scouted for stainless steel shoe racks</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WBa3ododT_yV246w89vqh8Vo_XQwSHRhH4idXgMQHRUMBKF0U65SZ3wiVT6zPALplyOn0euvA10nq-jQ-QimwwzP6aSTlMN0A0gA3Mnmptfo_1-KZtW1FfnrNZarzz4w50up0p0RcG2x8_UNHvP2MEnbN5a0VusTV3z1uk-LJAChdm4HpqN5-w/s3000/MixCollage-10-Dec-2023-08-47-PM-6270.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WBa3ododT_yV246w89vqh8Vo_XQwSHRhH4idXgMQHRUMBKF0U65SZ3wiVT6zPALplyOn0euvA10nq-jQ-QimwwzP6aSTlMN0A0gA3Mnmptfo_1-KZtW1FfnrNZarzz4w50up0p0RcG2x8_UNHvP2MEnbN5a0VusTV3z1uk-LJAChdm4HpqN5-w/w640-h320/MixCollage-10-Dec-2023-08-47-PM-6270.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">in one walk</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">i paid homage to Lady Penh's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phnom">Mountain Pagoda</a> for the birthday bash at Kanto grill and a one-on-one with the Thursday Group, a late American-Italian lunch with Bulan before PR 521, the new internet-less Mabuhay Lounge at Terminal 1, the emperor's <i>barong tagalog</i> and the vacuum that ate the garbage from the house in Bakal 2</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURM5SypPPIx8AqoJeGVNYnLxbjIAVzssogWnwV4yfUY650xMdY_IyTUPfA9VYoUoLbOopKbx5ejv_fegXFUgTkho2ITftBtvusB48b9C6DMTkh20Yho_BNUU3Xc9FnuPwglOPgVexw9KJW7HzSyFnfvSnYSuNEafDMfoWzZSd0GSCh-Ja4nZrqg/s1955/20231210_162809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="1955" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURM5SypPPIx8AqoJeGVNYnLxbjIAVzssogWnwV4yfUY650xMdY_IyTUPfA9VYoUoLbOopKbx5ejv_fegXFUgTkho2ITftBtvusB48b9C6DMTkh20Yho_BNUU3Xc9FnuPwglOPgVexw9KJW7HzSyFnfvSnYSuNEafDMfoWzZSd0GSCh-Ja4nZrqg/w640-h484/20231210_162809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">that was the last day of my week</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1.5 nights and 1 day in Phnom Penh where a lunch of spicy Khmer beef salad finally scratched the itch of dining at the second deck of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Panorama-Mekong-Hostel-Restaurant-Bar-100068602207774/?paipv=0&eav=AfZJamcZKfw-mvUiaHoly0miHErDXaUOw0-4nE_OUqHRXnMZTYeTmJ_fBcXpDP3vBhE&_rdr">Panorama Mekong Restaurant and Bar</a>, and a dinner of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mamawongsdumpling/?ref=page_internal">Mama Wong</a>'s best selling pork-cabbage dumplings and spring onion pancakes brought me to <a href="https://mitziemee.com/phnom-penh-bassac-lane-where-to-eat/">Bassac Lane</a> after 3 biking days in the trails of Munoz</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i52BQiBJqjY36LNWQ1OONmbTDLvMMI2wMXGu34yTeQIPjgGQeedEbsKalG-Wv0EBAm9G1Ad-9B5uK7qJMt-UVy10hQGKV6tItFVLsqkq6Nzsg9dPqv54M1K-iJd69T1GV4e-oIDZ-8aUSn7onv2Xog2ug4ahh2NVfKMKbk-Dm6NcAmLpPeS-Pg/s3508/MixCollage-11-Dec-2023-06-31-AM-1819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i52BQiBJqjY36LNWQ1OONmbTDLvMMI2wMXGu34yTeQIPjgGQeedEbsKalG-Wv0EBAm9G1Ad-9B5uK7qJMt-UVy10hQGKV6tItFVLsqkq6Nzsg9dPqv54M1K-iJd69T1GV4e-oIDZ-8aUSn7onv2Xog2ug4ahh2NVfKMKbk-Dm6NcAmLpPeS-Pg/w640-h452/MixCollage-11-Dec-2023-06-31-AM-1819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk94j9yqspYxAma-Ik0yzMbKg3ZwGTM4HvDIYztp9zU_GrUR3A5yxXaO9hGiELv2Y8Xx42Q4vtzI5NXRO7ytwufuYIDshagMSbtctiESTOL3C-0FBSDFIoWz9hh13uOKXOhBXWgpQSGBqulLREY3InvU5HpZ38wmFQq9DyxsbL2TDRdDtnIVS5w/s3000/MixCollage-11-Dec-2023-06-28-AM-5749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk94j9yqspYxAma-Ik0yzMbKg3ZwGTM4HvDIYztp9zU_GrUR3A5yxXaO9hGiELv2Y8Xx42Q4vtzI5NXRO7ytwufuYIDshagMSbtctiESTOL3C-0FBSDFIoWz9hh13uOKXOhBXWgpQSGBqulLREY3InvU5HpZ38wmFQq9DyxsbL2TDRdDtnIVS5w/w640-h320/MixCollage-11-Dec-2023-06-28-AM-5749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-24082277459418404082023-12-04T15:16:00.002+08:002023-12-05T05:21:25.515+08:00TWO CHRISTMAS PARTIES AND A BIRTHDAY<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The Luang Prabang OPA was cut to pieces by power tools as 4 bottles of Ballentine's finest scotch whiskey and 6 cases of Carlos 1 Osborne brandy from our only SNR shopping spree this year ushered the month's first Christmas party where flights from Brunei, Indonesia, Laos and the Philippines were raffled off during a dinner with the Mistahs.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAn9KcCOUeR760doM8X8FJm9c8TtGhT07k87mEVC_9wJArKxOHGajQXtOUym0Bcm2Yc7V0tUtWM8l2FwSD7ipdcC9ZE1zfr8oXWnSQ3_5oI4WALth1NwI3oiK5XdHhOXxUI5tunCNjArGBYAAZEAtz_sAls901kl1UwRdqAjgy1bsnylQcId1Cw/s2048/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsAn9KcCOUeR760doM8X8FJm9c8TtGhT07k87mEVC_9wJArKxOHGajQXtOUym0Bcm2Yc7V0tUtWM8l2FwSD7ipdcC9ZE1zfr8oXWnSQ3_5oI4WALth1NwI3oiK5XdHhOXxUI5tunCNjArGBYAAZEAtz_sAls901kl1UwRdqAjgy1bsnylQcId1Cw/w640-h360/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ384HGaadvUurDLyY7oXk7TMso2qcN7UYpN-32iXNOeQvIFlh2RIe9buGoZ-wM9q03SGSya7tuO7BxlBDwLFhAFkt8knHNkOXUvkvwSHaO5vtlKrMvTdPW1sHpTZRpu8ZfjD0o2vFiHlnsYhEXxwJFKCYEJ2FpK6FukmLBC9hj9GaisoDGNsOBA/s1440/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1440" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ384HGaadvUurDLyY7oXk7TMso2qcN7UYpN-32iXNOeQvIFlh2RIe9buGoZ-wM9q03SGSya7tuO7BxlBDwLFhAFkt8knHNkOXUvkvwSHaO5vtlKrMvTdPW1sHpTZRpu8ZfjD0o2vFiHlnsYhEXxwJFKCYEJ2FpK6FukmLBC9hj9GaisoDGNsOBA/w640-h436/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I<span style="font-size: large;"> am now ANCOM 2024 ready so my flights to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap for the 4th ACWC Partnership Conference were booked by the sound of working men who finally installed half of the living room ceiling, upgraded bathroom fixtures, and fixed antiquated power outlets despite a looming strike in OGB. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And to commemorate I-JET's PMU meeting in a long while, the Thursday Group was convened by RWI to investigate a possible flu that took down the Master of the House after wrapping 10,000 pesos worth of gifts for the second Christmas party that never happened because two bottles of Jameson Irish Whiskey were opened at a children's birthday party in Guimba.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYlDpBXz_YwFOk3iReJ7nJgh-5vLjka_siqR79vChQRUOucDf6EFHBNTRGYJjAJru0SfH5AJK6ovXS1TWEMJ9e4cMooi9uvRxY-8erjFVm3RWfNz5UNuNpIqDUkcPwfLBABj6NlvzBcraeijO7oHUppeUL6JQNMwVSIVZjxTHdpN_d0LV79gtlg/s1440/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1440" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYlDpBXz_YwFOk3iReJ7nJgh-5vLjka_siqR79vChQRUOucDf6EFHBNTRGYJjAJru0SfH5AJK6ovXS1TWEMJ9e4cMooi9uvRxY-8erjFVm3RWfNz5UNuNpIqDUkcPwfLBABj6NlvzBcraeijO7oHUppeUL6JQNMwVSIVZjxTHdpN_d0LV79gtlg/w640-h448/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I parted with with 16,500 pesos for the first Christmas party, 10,000 pesos for the second one that never was, 1,000 pesos for a birthday party, and all I can show are two biking days for the week...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ncQ6gA74gFBcwP_ooveMT46tyDVkZYrmL__r7T0c4ydrTaHZHjVVmrm0yizz9AvHcWonqnCOGu2V0pZcNPt2wTl9XMphA9SK_XJmwUdK0kgagCQ8tV2SjpRcQfRDguOwxCQLCuuw_yMmTkGW7nxZdnICWaiondPHzdyq4IZ-5iW6-WAaJutmuw/s3508/MixCollage-04-Dec-2023-03-15-PM-4600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ncQ6gA74gFBcwP_ooveMT46tyDVkZYrmL__r7T0c4ydrTaHZHjVVmrm0yizz9AvHcWonqnCOGu2V0pZcNPt2wTl9XMphA9SK_XJmwUdK0kgagCQ8tV2SjpRcQfRDguOwxCQLCuuw_yMmTkGW7nxZdnICWaiondPHzdyq4IZ-5iW6-WAaJutmuw/w640-h452/MixCollage-04-Dec-2023-03-15-PM-4600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-61982846341319679342023-11-27T06:15:00.010+08:002023-11-28T05:56:35.763+08:00TO BALER AND BACK IN 8 HOURS<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">113 kilometers to Baler and a lomi overload</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">4 apprentices and a master, tipsy changekeeper, confused teller and the missing payee, Thursday Group expelled from the ASEAN civic space</span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">they all signed the OPA in Castaneda</span></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh3CvC-IO567bhjVdr0N18uwuaR-VkSYKZt4wtAIydsY1BwyIbGX5PsAN9o7pJYlcnkyjPSGH8JW5zPnXauB3rPJ8MhRxx49Ep9ad84Pn8WC56HU6wj9wIR-AqDZ1_oR_dRkol1M7pP-r__BhyphenhyphenlNNkhZ7H1mrn9Ekw4k8RS6Jn95OHGIcAfIjsQ/s1440/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1440" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh3CvC-IO567bhjVdr0N18uwuaR-VkSYKZt4wtAIydsY1BwyIbGX5PsAN9o7pJYlcnkyjPSGH8JW5zPnXauB3rPJ8MhRxx49Ep9ad84Pn8WC56HU6wj9wIR-AqDZ1_oR_dRkol1M7pP-r__BhyphenhyphenlNNkhZ7H1mrn9Ekw4k8RS6Jn95OHGIcAfIjsQ/w640-h456/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHdavXRoLBOtRUlV9hD11IyR9xsT_iax-1EdpSm9bvSjGMwH7lC7qgXtbsJ_4tpfugtD8qbKXFheEKMNtQS9iiJjzb_V4NOY4sIgpTYDZF0VcIKB0DabyjtYqfrXXJGNt4gnu-zIn6jPpPZgzqgXPO_K1f4grQ8IrG8GdlqRsABuCtHo59K6Z1Q/s1809/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="1329" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHdavXRoLBOtRUlV9hD11IyR9xsT_iax-1EdpSm9bvSjGMwH7lC7qgXtbsJ_4tpfugtD8qbKXFheEKMNtQS9iiJjzb_V4NOY4sIgpTYDZF0VcIKB0DabyjtYqfrXXJGNt4gnu-zIn6jPpPZgzqgXPO_K1f4grQ8IrG8GdlqRsABuCtHo59K6Z1Q/w470-h640/5.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">113 kilometers from Baler and a clubhouse sandwich</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Siem Reap assured in December, to Luang Prabang by January, Kathmandu possibly on February, Ortigas cancelled for the shamans of San Jose</span></div></blockquote><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">3 days in the trails led to Reserva</span></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoHkO6nTdKXdu3c1sENkz5SMvts1ehRqJYs94cPdhdiMUMYOPK6J7Q3INiIQFUPxV7QJkrHjfHAM1BSYR1hqvoQRwJeJKWpu5ZAU76bGd1MGvZgy1dwgKQPG53K-7DQvDe9KNS5F_GQI5fRfaOMxgku76MDBVvM05ClFlP8S5E_nBmbsrFyMUXw/s1390/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1390" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoHkO6nTdKXdu3c1sENkz5SMvts1ehRqJYs94cPdhdiMUMYOPK6J7Q3INiIQFUPxV7QJkrHjfHAM1BSYR1hqvoQRwJeJKWpu5ZAU76bGd1MGvZgy1dwgKQPG53K-7DQvDe9KNS5F_GQI5fRfaOMxgku76MDBVvM05ClFlP8S5E_nBmbsrFyMUXw/w640-h448/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv069k-MBNv8Tanp7GtCRO5ytMPTYykr4XzOk1EAOBM6yRGEpCn-Vpmu5pxs_lUOXSmrZQKKvIqfP-jgzKdbdn1D31MkRvh-Yge-FB7VszweCA_TaAtI6AmNIzBYQNdd3-4XdIXT7MX4TVzw4m-xo_zfRg477Y3XOThWO7BuPXIIwD8Q-SdhSgw/s2560/MixCollage-27-Nov-2023-06-12-AM-4795.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv069k-MBNv8Tanp7GtCRO5ytMPTYykr4XzOk1EAOBM6yRGEpCn-Vpmu5pxs_lUOXSmrZQKKvIqfP-jgzKdbdn1D31MkRvh-Yge-FB7VszweCA_TaAtI6AmNIzBYQNdd3-4XdIXT7MX4TVzw4m-xo_zfRg477Y3XOThWO7BuPXIIwD8Q-SdhSgw/w640-h360/MixCollage-27-Nov-2023-06-12-AM-4795.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-39515170037139202972023-11-20T06:06:00.007+08:002023-11-20T06:08:56.581+08:00JOHOR BAHRU<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The mural along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee is alive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It performed a dragon dance a little over an hour after clearing 41.4 kilometers from Changi Airport to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Iskandar_Building">Johor Bahru Checkpoint</a>, a rain-induced Malay buffet dinner at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cateringmasakanQlate/">Lepak Corner</a> and real sleep in a real bed at <a href="https://www.amari.com/johor-bahru/special-offers?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=ajm">Amari Hotel</a>, and claiming my badge and goodie bag at <a href="https://www.persadajohor.com/">Pesada Johor Internasional</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">It doesn't matter that the bus driver's zipper is open throughout the trip, that the immigration officer at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Iskandar_Building">CIQ</a> never heard of <a href="https://unfccc.int/APCW2023">APCW 2023</a>, or I was served hot <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teh_tarik">teh tarik</a></i> instead of the cold one I ordered because t</span><span style="font-family: times;">he <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straits_of_Johor">Straits of Johor</a> may sound big but it is actually narrower than the 1.056-kilometer<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johor%E2%80%93Singapore_Causeway"> Johor-Singapore Causeway</a>. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nygk-Lppu0dccEqqQ_8dlQ0Y0jO-GeRdZxRU4PcBqM_WY2DRXOM1xJroOauf496Dmz7eAr_4njrDmPtNM6wBvW64eDLtpZlEmNuvULlXmKbOQb-JJIJq6gQ-oDfzC5C0G-NBLlqDGefcpoHpHurC5g6wGB9cS404V3YsKDP3tAXiESLcaSutzA/s1287/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1287" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nygk-Lppu0dccEqqQ_8dlQ0Y0jO-GeRdZxRU4PcBqM_WY2DRXOM1xJroOauf496Dmz7eAr_4njrDmPtNM6wBvW64eDLtpZlEmNuvULlXmKbOQb-JJIJq6gQ-oDfzC5C0G-NBLlqDGefcpoHpHurC5g6wGB9cS404V3YsKDP3tAXiESLcaSutzA/w640-h466/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In Johor Bahru, the rains fall at 2 pm and stops after an hour so by 4 pm, I changed into Indiana Jones to explore the <a href="https://johorkaki.blogspot.com/2013/06/old-jb-town-heritage-food-trail-at.html">Old JB Town Heritage Food Trail</a> where I had a late big lunch of <a href="https://johorkaki.blogspot.com/2011/12/hainanese-chicken-chop-at-it-roo-cafe.html">Restoran IT Roo</a>'s (circa 1960s) famous Hainanese chicken chop, so huge that I left some on the plate to offer to the memory of the wealthy Indian family who built The Red House and to the gods of the <a href="https://tourismjohor.my/old-chinese-temple/">Johor Ancient Chinese Temple</a> whose main gate is the subject of a young street photographer.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3NNf24HhFWjdn0zi7TTlm27PKuwfrZ0mi68i0O9rhiGQNVCjvv4wO6AxjR54A1jV4GyW36oEG78ksBrwOA7DBdJuktfpwYJGjXLagcbni4AeaQllyQbII6oQj92RLORbTmVDGNEaeA7SR_-gNgOJRF73_EEf-lDSAt1a0a-kbAPMSeNJhCgzgA/s1399/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1399" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3NNf24HhFWjdn0zi7TTlm27PKuwfrZ0mi68i0O9rhiGQNVCjvv4wO6AxjR54A1jV4GyW36oEG78ksBrwOA7DBdJuktfpwYJGjXLagcbni4AeaQllyQbII6oQj92RLORbTmVDGNEaeA7SR_-gNgOJRF73_EEf-lDSAt1a0a-kbAPMSeNJhCgzgA/w640-h434/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VVDSRHe2bZI-6kIT3lOX9unoKKPFaFzAnDwoT6uMnlDGLaTB5BxAcMxvpkrpPdckLxctUeRW-xeJpf1qxBALvhk8BeSIPgWzGpSvZVw0gkgafOu3WKEd5xhAvKmTsr3GSbATJs6Ebi1F85B3AAI-0hez1c9ePQgevg7vQvNsJLNNovbE4hHP3g/s1679/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1679" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VVDSRHe2bZI-6kIT3lOX9unoKKPFaFzAnDwoT6uMnlDGLaTB5BxAcMxvpkrpPdckLxctUeRW-xeJpf1qxBALvhk8BeSIPgWzGpSvZVw0gkgafOu3WKEd5xhAvKmTsr3GSbATJs6Ebi1F85B3AAI-0hez1c9ePQgevg7vQvNsJLNNovbE4hHP3g/w640-h466/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vbN3mhU8qZfFaP7InjQ-QPJekGRPGu2D_jYoJkCx7cKTqhIvkp4BvUVr4j_scmi-yB0Lu0eCJXRbvhCn0xXlFBK8KCawmQ-rj6cAW650uX1dQo0ryBVN2KEptI9RGSrVbCOHRFwhGGpm8Lkmg2xVv9iv-hLEuEoOpR-ZR7VsBOS7_3shFg8VOA/s1432/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1432" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vbN3mhU8qZfFaP7InjQ-QPJekGRPGu2D_jYoJkCx7cKTqhIvkp4BvUVr4j_scmi-yB0Lu0eCJXRbvhCn0xXlFBK8KCawmQ-rj6cAW650uX1dQo0ryBVN2KEptI9RGSrVbCOHRFwhGGpm8Lkmg2xVv9iv-hLEuEoOpR-ZR7VsBOS7_3shFg8VOA/w640-h438/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">That was on Monday and a pint of Guinness stout at McGregor's while the RWI fellows opted for small glasses of weak Tiger Beer after a futile search for <a href="https://sgmytrips.com/jalan-wong-ah-fook-food/">Jalan Wong Ah Fock</a>'s recommended must eats, that same day I confused with Tuesday and the side event I excellently moderated I was told, perhaps the result of a more palatable boxed free lunch despite a 15-minute technical glitch.</span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8s2XeIFe3PNW9euDqieZm0_YXVVgMIh3bZXsN5uvtHbZpEaZrQYKFv_-Iqr1LxMd1djgNhmN3VyeZvmsvceH4b7GpBKHPqGxAEvDiRboRGRWuznabqdBnl4eGDjzbQEzqCgeX7EY2y77BR3SVf0Ztb-Y5yNNehunOFBhgFPPeYroEKyoOYRTGA/s1217/7.1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1217" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8s2XeIFe3PNW9euDqieZm0_YXVVgMIh3bZXsN5uvtHbZpEaZrQYKFv_-Iqr1LxMd1djgNhmN3VyeZvmsvceH4b7GpBKHPqGxAEvDiRboRGRWuznabqdBnl4eGDjzbQEzqCgeX7EY2y77BR3SVf0Ztb-Y5yNNehunOFBhgFPPeYroEKyoOYRTGA/w640-h474/7.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFk8DNGGhzc-hkzGbBh9-sQnoJlkWXXfpobgtVVQdhqf6S1CbmtOfC2SfaLFoWNKeL2coqI2YN4RDnMXOyhGvLH1tEwAHMLA5rElIQ3MTM_cFWSdncKBaYjvAoWu-0Axbw3Mrnxcnxltyw_a_c3Arj8grqIeJeaPEuqgQAQJcPIHxApieuTdSnuw/s1348/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1348" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFk8DNGGhzc-hkzGbBh9-sQnoJlkWXXfpobgtVVQdhqf6S1CbmtOfC2SfaLFoWNKeL2coqI2YN4RDnMXOyhGvLH1tEwAHMLA5rElIQ3MTM_cFWSdncKBaYjvAoWu-0Axbw3Mrnxcnxltyw_a_c3Arj8grqIeJeaPEuqgQAQJcPIHxApieuTdSnuw/w640-h446/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Yes, Tueday was the big day but <a href="https://johorkaki.blogspot.com/2012/01/kway-teow-soup-sang-heng-in-jb-old-town.html">Sang Heng</a> (circa 1950s) remained closed, maybe forever, and I don't really like banana cake so I left <a href="https://johorkaki.blogspot.com/2012/01/banana-cake-hiap-joo-bakery-biscuit.html">Hiap Joo Bakery</a> (circa 1919) for a pack of kaya buns at <a href="https://johorkaki.blogspot.com/2012/01/indian-curry-puffs-salahuddin-bakery-in.html">Salahuddin Bakery</a> (circa 1937) before a late afternoon breakfast of kaya toasts, soft boiled egg and hot tea at <a href="https://johorkaki.blogspot.com/2011/12/hua-mui-coffee-shop.html">Restoran Hua Mui</a> (1946) that should have been the <i>sop kambing</i> I craved for because dinner, although free, is a disappointing bowl of fish that someone choose for me because I asked him to. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKvAYWcjsUcc_-5_kRormaoUjwhW6hralwI9-ZkYH1Us1B-dJyvSvqpLrR4d0E8k7U3hmpqosCk64ZkQPSsER9vJMI2tUuozGXItPqKn6VNkwWNOnD9cz34qc4RylhM9TJ4Aygm9JhW9Zh53xnkNfng-WX3NWb49oeTQRMuCrXt8O_5VuraRpTw/s1370/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1370" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKvAYWcjsUcc_-5_kRormaoUjwhW6hralwI9-ZkYH1Us1B-dJyvSvqpLrR4d0E8k7U3hmpqosCk64ZkQPSsER9vJMI2tUuozGXItPqKn6VNkwWNOnD9cz34qc4RylhM9TJ4Aygm9JhW9Zh53xnkNfng-WX3NWb49oeTQRMuCrXt8O_5VuraRpTw/w640-h444/9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYZxccDF1fgC513V0R6Lmd4atxVGzmDBICqMwzfsXG8ou-Bj0STkTEeD3KgACFg3VXrMcWcX0yP-oV7edXHRGw_xQoKMZV1v_B8vgkKtDlpozdjABMzvhZfNC_DNZdRyIT6Qhq5Kku8FFOrUyI-50j2p4sfTAns6tGKHp0mQ7KhplpwannIKTXw/s3000/MixCollage-18-Nov-2023-05-19-AM-3176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYZxccDF1fgC513V0R6Lmd4atxVGzmDBICqMwzfsXG8ou-Bj0STkTEeD3KgACFg3VXrMcWcX0yP-oV7edXHRGw_xQoKMZV1v_B8vgkKtDlpozdjABMzvhZfNC_DNZdRyIT6Qhq5Kku8FFOrUyI-50j2p4sfTAns6tGKHp0mQ7KhplpwannIKTXw/w640-h320/MixCollage-18-Nov-2023-05-19-AM-3176.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">On Wednesday, Grab took took me to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johor_Bahru_Sentral_station">JB Sentral</a> to be swallowed by the throng making its way to Singapore, an hour too early but late enough for the CIQ immigration officer who fell asleep while stamping my passport that was held up at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodlands_Checkpoint">Woodlands Checkpoint</a> because my approved electronic arrival application to Singapore is for single entry only, something that the talkative coach driver did not tell until our arrival at Changi's Terminal 1.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But "life is a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get" (Mama Gump).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I got an early check in from Jewel 5 hours into my flight back to Manila which means 5 hours of enjoying the hospitality of SATS Premiere Lounge's bar and kitchen, had an entire row for myself at PR 508, and was delivered at Hop Inn-Morato from NAIA Terminal in no time despite the rush hour traffic. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaYYo7gfDrDIZVmQ78aFPBWKyBe1dIEkGHPSVd7xY7ngW2NgGtMZTAAioRtzFtuT2fnfoH8e3OJLFE_7KJWrXMIwgvh0Z7zpMnBU_XsylmlSdepuxX-G6UeIqtZF1zXjSMPALsz08KRYLJb0nDdcPGiHP4PpZ0QgSGMo2i7e-B0mVV-vPDQX_-g/s2560/MixCollage-19-Nov-2023-12-19-PM-2064.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaYYo7gfDrDIZVmQ78aFPBWKyBe1dIEkGHPSVd7xY7ngW2NgGtMZTAAioRtzFtuT2fnfoH8e3OJLFE_7KJWrXMIwgvh0Z7zpMnBU_XsylmlSdepuxX-G6UeIqtZF1zXjSMPALsz08KRYLJb0nDdcPGiHP4PpZ0QgSGMo2i7e-B0mVV-vPDQX_-g/w640-h360/MixCollage-19-Nov-2023-12-19-PM-2064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Johor Bahru was almost dry and halal so a young Barbie Doll dedicated a Johnny Walker Black for us in Bongabon while an older and familiar version of her piled heaps of <i>lechong baboy </i>over a case of San Miguel Premium All-Malt after 8 hours on stage at the Palayan City convention... </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvQumcVmOPqMFh8jKAhHYaRoACysKAJcuMDnnpQdxMUpE9aUZwTf6RDaWNyywaIkDo6Qu4KgibY5fzkQeO8hoW8QBiDlLoHN8YcdCR_S618VOzpmGkxXp0IuDOQGXxRmUuWfsuDOxSfSx-xmVAJc5kMgBSACZX0sFdRhv7s0jC_rnSdWHy2RJUQ/s1603/16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1603" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvQumcVmOPqMFh8jKAhHYaRoACysKAJcuMDnnpQdxMUpE9aUZwTf6RDaWNyywaIkDo6Qu4KgibY5fzkQeO8hoW8QBiDlLoHN8YcdCR_S618VOzpmGkxXp0IuDOQGXxRmUuWfsuDOxSfSx-xmVAJc5kMgBSACZX0sFdRhv7s0jC_rnSdWHy2RJUQ/w640-h450/16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc-aRKH6fjYa_GkVJXZJXK4OzGulSfS17gfVezkQLEj9pljqHlV5_4f7XHRD-5ifhIA6D14HK5mz-vjqkyTsrIVUDAuxMzYSeEkYGWi3n69QwxRu0n3q0mhhoEY3tFT3igLzAn7kwVJdMr4wSzzE5k0gsVaMbILdCc9JCuc4xigUefT6lgmOFMQ/s1159/17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1159" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc-aRKH6fjYa_GkVJXZJXK4OzGulSfS17gfVezkQLEj9pljqHlV5_4f7XHRD-5ifhIA6D14HK5mz-vjqkyTsrIVUDAuxMzYSeEkYGWi3n69QwxRu0n3q0mhhoEY3tFT3igLzAn7kwVJdMr4wSzzE5k0gsVaMbILdCc9JCuc4xigUefT6lgmOFMQ/w640-h480/17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-36061857279384323362023-11-13T05:35:00.003+08:002023-11-13T05:35:39.266+08:00THE SONGS OF ORMOC<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">No, it's not the wandering whistling duck who broke the morning calm but an eerie lullaby hummed by a silhouette etched in the still waters of Ormoc Bay, a sad song </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">about PR 2985 that almost departed on time despite changing gates in Manila to a late lunch of seafood samgyupsal in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baybay">Baybay</a>. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i8HK4Zr8Cdckv6m_i4ur2KTtwSzKDaffV8e8TN5cZivEEdSHcNF_o5lTPFjmT8XvIfxJXqDKmLhGlGoDFR11T8XgB4B5soYpHIbh1G-ruZqF68UJ2aJoX0DgumE-hsj-p3GPTZ8mdolmLBrJ_AkUiHIHlLd25QUSIEY_m_CIMr_ug04VCObxCA/s1360/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1360" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i8HK4Zr8Cdckv6m_i4ur2KTtwSzKDaffV8e8TN5cZivEEdSHcNF_o5lTPFjmT8XvIfxJXqDKmLhGlGoDFR11T8XgB4B5soYpHIbh1G-ruZqF68UJ2aJoX0DgumE-hsj-p3GPTZ8mdolmLBrJ_AkUiHIHlLd25QUSIEY_m_CIMr_ug04VCObxCA/w640-h424/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1SmZUEezCEHTF-icOBXwiWrRTfNmDgUvup1U-CPowsTp9KIBr9EyKcYZSBWD-2p5Hd3It_y6S77mE6yS_4dtyGXmpeVuRw_8oN8JObutc_0eo9B9aqi2Jg793vJvz8veI3gq5SNEgdMqWXGCq1HY6CC15MRDrlHDrPRfabzi7Y2pCkhYLdoy6w/s1078/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1078" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1SmZUEezCEHTF-icOBXwiWrRTfNmDgUvup1U-CPowsTp9KIBr9EyKcYZSBWD-2p5Hd3It_y6S77mE6yS_4dtyGXmpeVuRw_8oN8JObutc_0eo9B9aqi2Jg793vJvz8veI3gq5SNEgdMqWXGCq1HY6CC15MRDrlHDrPRfabzi7Y2pCkhYLdoy6w/w640-h400/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The shadow, revealed as a green two-piece bikini with a dragon tattoo, enticed me to sing a lamentation of not having laundry service at the <a href="https://sabinresorthotel.com/">Sabin Resort Hotel</a> and failing to visit the <a href="https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/89943/monument-marks-20th-year-of-ormoc-flashflood-tragedy">Flash Flood Memorial</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There was MacArthur's ballad too as we passed by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Landing_Memorial_National_Park">Leyte Landing Memorial National Park</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palo,_Leyte">Palo</a>, a sorrowful ode to the three lonely bottles at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mimaysseafoodhouse/?locale=en_GB&paipv=0&eav=AfYjD1Pv65jBrNc0qy_kTIQuH99u-aY0VRNHjPsbhA1tDaScjMBMUqiqNiknMOTtBs4&_rdr">Mimay's Seafood</a>, Australian beer gone too soon in the bowels of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Warrior_(2011)">Rainbow Warrior 3</a>, and chewy <i>kinilaw</i> that were the stories told behind the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/helloyellowdoors/">Yellow Doors</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPdCa0anOv3ius7d3NKOtzFNBZywf6UyKH1AVeNeZINuRo7-yz2uWDayu9zXcncK9hDz3gFrX-1A5AiKPVXzGpMwwO10qlfQzOONig_SC0Ucg_QyuQd9OGCzx6jiXPiBIhlqq1E64an6GOmOAmWz2Q9Tqgesj0kddDj6yj_NID06baf-iWkjVcw/s2560/MixCollage-10-Nov-2023-11-12-AM-8207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPdCa0anOv3ius7d3NKOtzFNBZywf6UyKH1AVeNeZINuRo7-yz2uWDayu9zXcncK9hDz3gFrX-1A5AiKPVXzGpMwwO10qlfQzOONig_SC0Ucg_QyuQd9OGCzx6jiXPiBIhlqq1E64an6GOmOAmWz2Q9Tqgesj0kddDj6yj_NID06baf-iWkjVcw/w640-h360/MixCollage-10-Nov-2023-11-12-AM-8207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G7hmi0-Orz8FJIFQAWtBIEu-RkNgUsJo9llljs7V7dg2d3hyphenhyphenShMqHXDIj2hfhgQIj0BqujU6tiq9GlRvs4LEXXVJHKXSWkf_tYAb5U0vS_V-axI-XjJ6IzvnGe3Xt39N0aiTV9SFaN7t8xICCwfJEDmYE7ASM6C5lzA0xTlGnmaH-N6SQhRvjw/s1767/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1767" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G7hmi0-Orz8FJIFQAWtBIEu-RkNgUsJo9llljs7V7dg2d3hyphenhyphenShMqHXDIj2hfhgQIj0BqujU6tiq9GlRvs4LEXXVJHKXSWkf_tYAb5U0vS_V-axI-XjJ6IzvnGe3Xt39N0aiTV9SFaN7t8xICCwfJEDmYE7ASM6C5lzA0xTlGnmaH-N6SQhRvjw/w640-h470/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The blues were played all night at <a href="https://hotelxyz.com.ph/">Hotel XYZ</a> to herald PR 2892's collision with a bird, the closure of the airport for his royal higness BBM, an eventual cancellation and the ensuing madness of a 14-hour wait for PR 2988, then 7 more hours at Hop Inn-Morato. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">But it was the blues from Ormoc so everything was all right in Bakal 2 where the Thursday Group belted birthday songs. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OTuNFYec4sEAnzXUxWqzB0uZma0s-9jV-DV-rBbjV1FxkZdLtk9uafoYk8YgCYPG7JVrb4-70PiC4mF2Ylm3M2-ncvDPyjECZS1S_Rb_7B8uFu051Bl2Mo_E8YpRdJ2-9WkEDNE4QZWBUnyYRiYl0K35wC21ULPI6ruBb0CXpZjw8vMFNTYEAA/s1440/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1440" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OTuNFYec4sEAnzXUxWqzB0uZma0s-9jV-DV-rBbjV1FxkZdLtk9uafoYk8YgCYPG7JVrb4-70PiC4mF2Ylm3M2-ncvDPyjECZS1S_Rb_7B8uFu051Bl2Mo_E8YpRdJ2-9WkEDNE4QZWBUnyYRiYl0K35wC21ULPI6ruBb0CXpZjw8vMFNTYEAA/w640-h470/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l66MUl6XTFIWV8tQp59bAFg3DsWnHWxxZgTGGaBbkTLYpmr3m2pCmc5byzXWNKAO0R08nVgr6ImBUAbrsArVedMdDGyOLIeTaENDjgBpkbc_omGPlT8Svj21sTkJ5d5kkaGfoSOEXEHNLvXKGX07atLqKJTi0mWhlqPnCnz8X1FgGL1vc3iGwQ/s1334/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1334" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l66MUl6XTFIWV8tQp59bAFg3DsWnHWxxZgTGGaBbkTLYpmr3m2pCmc5byzXWNKAO0R08nVgr6ImBUAbrsArVedMdDGyOLIeTaENDjgBpkbc_omGPlT8Svj21sTkJ5d5kkaGfoSOEXEHNLvXKGX07atLqKJTi0mWhlqPnCnz8X1FgGL1vc3iGwQ/w640-h478/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">But the classics rule --- an orchestra of tires crunching dirt roads blending with the songs of birds and the sounds of inner villages as I pulled out from the last 12 days in Luang Prabang and Tacloban to segue into the next 5 days at <a href="https://hotelxyz.com.ph/">Johor Bahru</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In 24 hours, I had a dinner of baby squids and crunchy <i>adobo</i> in Mandaluyong, a lunch of pork ribs-prawn noodles at the <a href="https://www.timeout.com/singapore/old-airport-road-food-centre-stalls">Old Airport Food Center</a> in Singapore, a dinner of Malaysian buffet at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cateringmasakanQlate/?locale=ms_MY">Lepak Corner</a> of Johor Bahru, and seamlessly passed through four immigration checkpoints. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhz-hr6TsE44Q_90N6xOTc9ooVqnvPhzxx3yqfNHViRsAg6CsH4pbVDgXrvgm1nWT01u9VczoCOMq1_oNNyIYk26ss94DuJz1r0aKwLwovi3uxqWcKEb6EG9zBGZ-sj4ekHbDmRnOra63oADMgzBIN7kfMmK-OoWm7T9Fy9y3ha9MRfkg2XZcNg/s3508/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhz-hr6TsE44Q_90N6xOTc9ooVqnvPhzxx3yqfNHViRsAg6CsH4pbVDgXrvgm1nWT01u9VczoCOMq1_oNNyIYk26ss94DuJz1r0aKwLwovi3uxqWcKEb6EG9zBGZ-sj4ekHbDmRnOra63oADMgzBIN7kfMmK-OoWm7T9Fy9y3ha9MRfkg2XZcNg/w640-h452/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR6lQqJzKBDkexxPd3w4ncGPN39Ch__i1WpWPRqocYSLa6DV-j2I6D4hhw7-NGiczSxxYBQMd-FfL5bnFjZw7kqdjHQi0FXg6gGSlwHZx7QASxQSF38q0ftBKNvBPAiYWphussw_ZFpKlvUBEPVrDwzCBqMDUns5DayU4_9sPqa8ajaRiwVKs7w/s2560/MixCollage-12-Nov-2023-07-28-PM-7257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR6lQqJzKBDkexxPd3w4ncGPN39Ch__i1WpWPRqocYSLa6DV-j2I6D4hhw7-NGiczSxxYBQMd-FfL5bnFjZw7kqdjHQi0FXg6gGSlwHZx7QASxQSF38q0ftBKNvBPAiYWphussw_ZFpKlvUBEPVrDwzCBqMDUns5DayU4_9sPqa8ajaRiwVKs7w/w640-h360/MixCollage-12-Nov-2023-07-28-PM-7257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-64084971020797015602023-11-06T08:01:00.004+08:002023-11-07T08:04:19.697+08:00LUANG PRABANG<p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">The ghost of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang">Luang Prabang</a> haunted me ever since I was forced to give it up for an outcome harvesting workshop in Manila in 2019, and it was only after PG 941's bumpy landing at the Luang Prabang International Airport that a fierce afternoon sun exorcised it forever.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBfrjfu7zTP-bgLp5FzxAM7ZrqAizibluPHGwmEsoLK29YV5y5cOgzM4Y4TtUOUwohAgYdPIsK9jxJLs1F1vpyHprsqljWiE9hFsLPoUs8kcdO8fWmlu0C4Ey9aYivga4hzwL4sNbRVQ99ykOfl1eNbinswE8HPQCOur_x51nMAPcgduDT-GPRg/s1687/0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1687" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBfrjfu7zTP-bgLp5FzxAM7ZrqAizibluPHGwmEsoLK29YV5y5cOgzM4Y4TtUOUwohAgYdPIsK9jxJLs1F1vpyHprsqljWiE9hFsLPoUs8kcdO8fWmlu0C4Ey9aYivga4hzwL4sNbRVQ99ykOfl1eNbinswE8HPQCOur_x51nMAPcgduDT-GPRg/w640-h464/0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><p><span style="font-size: large;">Luang Prabang is the mystical royal capital of the deposed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Laos">Kingdom of Cambodia</a>, home to 6 of what <a href="https://www.tasteatlas.com/sai-oua/wheretoeat">tasteatlas</a> listed as the 9 best <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_sausage">sai oua</a></i> in the world and ancient temples where monks beat oversized gongs to usher the <a href="https://sonasia-holiday.com/sonabee/luang-prabang-festival-of-light">Festival of Light</a> through Google Maps to the <a href="https://www.tamarindlaos.com/">Tamarind Restaurant and Cooking School</a> along the Nam Khan River and what is said to be the best <i>sai oua</i> in the world.</span></p></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltzXHhErcpmWkiv2x_iFjm1aUzsXffCB8wX2mELDbHu31lPFdtRwJsDHlAqYtlQ8g-gEsWlk2_BwxigEcC-MXl8VK6-_COKiI6kinONIC029uIzac9VfRNjeVd8KwMFlSVMap5Eog2QvUCw5K40tETlVC-6olVpq9llPrjSw51y7pbW5fIOfcfQ/s3508/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltzXHhErcpmWkiv2x_iFjm1aUzsXffCB8wX2mELDbHu31lPFdtRwJsDHlAqYtlQ8g-gEsWlk2_BwxigEcC-MXl8VK6-_COKiI6kinONIC029uIzac9VfRNjeVd8KwMFlSVMap5Eog2QvUCw5K40tETlVC-6olVpq9llPrjSw51y7pbW5fIOfcfQ/w640-h452/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">But the tounge got confused by five bites from a Lao sampler plate and the amazing offerings from pricey <a href="https://www.mandadelaos.com/home">Manda de Laos</a> (<i>right below</i>) and <a href="https://www.3-nagas.com/gastronomy/3-nagas-restaurant-bar/">3 Nagas</a> (<i>left below</i>)so I came back for a second sampling and confirmed that Tamarind's (<i>middle below</i>) is way below its #1 ranking from tasteatlas. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfNYdNwBvsQ0jva9DHrdFA2zeuicJQuppBAz4woZmSRGeHyiaE1V-evsYewQi3LneFLAQRiMYJfB-oK4KRkRB7CMX5D2x4pQD8xVnBCwEvTe6zEIMM_oe_YHRgemezTV9IvAMRjQJOVyy_noA_W6UGQr1AAMGHTWL_VZZqDI5PvMmRb7Gk5YBgQ/s3000/c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfNYdNwBvsQ0jva9DHrdFA2zeuicJQuppBAz4woZmSRGeHyiaE1V-evsYewQi3LneFLAQRiMYJfB-oK4KRkRB7CMX5D2x4pQD8xVnBCwEvTe6zEIMM_oe_YHRgemezTV9IvAMRjQJOVyy_noA_W6UGQr1AAMGHTWL_VZZqDI5PvMmRb7Gk5YBgQ/w640-h320/c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">In fact, my ranking for Tamarind's is even below <a href="https://www.ockpoptok.com/visit-us/silk-road-cafe/">Silk Road Cafe</a>'s sliced version (<i>left below</i>) and that of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Khmu-Restaurant-100063670178501/">Khmu Restaurant</a>'s fried offering (<i>right below</i>).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;">All of them though will be in my #10 but my #1 ranking in terms of authenticity, taste and value for money will be that for an unnamed stall at </span><span style="font-family: courier;">the <a href="https://www.migrationology.com/luang-prabang-morning-market/">Luang Prabang Morning Market</a> (<i>middle below</i>) that represents what <i>sai oua</i> </span></span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">should be minus the hubris of plating,presentation and a fine dining. </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmxDKRBWVvlEgcOvRgY0WGc6IRf1p6lcoNwAydZpDu0Sy6C7zP0L2cnDnPQej2XRus3nQFDoTdJ61z1rLz5APMq2XPzIo0-wLPPy8YmNT2l5jdvKtjMbgQm4lMoOE57ltn3eF0HukbOt3g4CV7U-AeCTbnL28vEEHQXINxoNUDZgfuHSgKIurPg/s3000/Collage%20Maker-05-Nov-2023-09-46-AM-4304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmxDKRBWVvlEgcOvRgY0WGc6IRf1p6lcoNwAydZpDu0Sy6C7zP0L2cnDnPQej2XRus3nQFDoTdJ61z1rLz5APMq2XPzIo0-wLPPy8YmNT2l5jdvKtjMbgQm4lMoOE57ltn3eF0HukbOt3g4CV7U-AeCTbnL28vEEHQXINxoNUDZgfuHSgKIurPg/w640-h320/Collage%20Maker-05-Nov-2023-09-46-AM-4304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Yes, Luang Prabang is indeed the <i>sai oua</i> capital of the world and a <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/479/">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a> too since 1995, its rich history seamlesly fused into an ensemble of well-preserved traditional and colonial architecture that packed the <a href="https://www.bestpricetravel.com/travel-guide/luang-prabang-old-town.html">Old Quarter</a> to the seams where every morning, my imaginary bike tour cruised through ancient temples and a line of monks performing the daily <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/the-real-story-behind-luang-prabangs-morning-alms/#:~:text=Sai%20Bat%20(morning%20alms)%20takes,also%20dressed%20in%20orange%20robes.">alms giving ceremony</a> for a horde of tourists. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCrwNWihwAu4QUyeZhEvG9kM4vihL75t_NfjDB0Ni8-EaoL7ZaWSge-hh4_cQeJ5-XZ6W-GfvKF8FdVf0DbcM0IAy-ydhqPpSX7u461tkJ4cRY0KuFhYhUs-EapJ5VdgLRZPJbbeTbhmVE1H5p0nrKyqtpEjtmpjBPv2KIICS_d2kdgIE7qlY6Q/s1333/e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1333" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCrwNWihwAu4QUyeZhEvG9kM4vihL75t_NfjDB0Ni8-EaoL7ZaWSge-hh4_cQeJ5-XZ6W-GfvKF8FdVf0DbcM0IAy-ydhqPpSX7u461tkJ4cRY0KuFhYhUs-EapJ5VdgLRZPJbbeTbhmVE1H5p0nrKyqtpEjtmpjBPv2KIICS_d2kdgIE7qlY6Q/w640-h432/e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-44ov4Ov7e6oleBMyvn4WqUKUVNjMdv1C9sly4AwsLGQxiP1ndk380qYu7UamridRBzh1WhS_k4Tex6W8uFUz28dAn37cBoXri9dIioi4WzsVceDnXO_R99lPPQ-E2jMz7UwiR0v5iiEfshGGEuFBrvsc-MJujplYCTbYSAiwJTz1e6DLqtdfjg/s1440/f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1440" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-44ov4Ov7e6oleBMyvn4WqUKUVNjMdv1C9sly4AwsLGQxiP1ndk380qYu7UamridRBzh1WhS_k4Tex6W8uFUz28dAn37cBoXri9dIioi4WzsVceDnXO_R99lPPQ-E2jMz7UwiR0v5iiEfshGGEuFBrvsc-MJujplYCTbYSAiwJTz1e6DLqtdfjg/w640-h458/f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">The gears of the complimetary mountain bike from our <a href="https://luangprabangview.com/">fancy hotel</a> doesn't work, its sticky handle bars reminded me of the many chewing gums I've sat on in my lifetime but it carried me to temple pit stops (<a href="https://www.theroadtoanywhere.com/temples-of-laos-wat-sensoukharam-luang-prabang/">Wat Sensoukharam</a>, <a href="https://www.orientalarchitecture.com/sid/1178/laos/luang-prabang/wat-sop">Wat Sop Sickharam</a>, <a href="https://discoverlaos.today/luangprabang/thing-to-do/wat-wisunarat-temple-wat-visoun">Wat Wisunnarat</a>), the placid headwaters of the Mekong River, the early morning market show, and a unique crossing across a French-era steel bridge.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG2A245WryvuvLMNf-gd1nBvKRYC23RhPorATTtCXSgvKYSb33Ckim5Bg3ImXUgplATWSlNBfXpN4Pnr3VV5uXRaAfk4rloWiTPlWZ-ICsV7fp9mBnYVxmKew1Pc4-moj_xGmJ_zmtsRL8bA4ld3JkjLTj5wgYrMiZ4Ga5mIvEsFwYcDpzp-cHw/s3508/h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG2A245WryvuvLMNf-gd1nBvKRYC23RhPorATTtCXSgvKYSb33Ckim5Bg3ImXUgplATWSlNBfXpN4Pnr3VV5uXRaAfk4rloWiTPlWZ-ICsV7fp9mBnYVxmKew1Pc4-moj_xGmJ_zmtsRL8bA4ld3JkjLTj5wgYrMiZ4Ga5mIvEsFwYcDpzp-cHw/w640-h452/h.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKWxrx4PdH9fqiHnBenNFktwfr1XS8cJ71S3HOpu-hN2yENKKBrnT7nm78Mz79ARgXPGwerPlt9bB0Kzv5UbG69cxTEDYM-JlNXPP-6EwuwvARZ4HX_dyzMnqND4OT7AueyRzyKvCrp9vNMkYxvq9X2xZlTDjK5H_u3jpWYPG8hfHWq5PlLAMHg/s3508/i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKWxrx4PdH9fqiHnBenNFktwfr1XS8cJ71S3HOpu-hN2yENKKBrnT7nm78Mz79ARgXPGwerPlt9bB0Kzv5UbG69cxTEDYM-JlNXPP-6EwuwvARZ4HX_dyzMnqND4OT7AueyRzyKvCrp9vNMkYxvq9X2xZlTDjK5H_u3jpWYPG8hfHWq5PlLAMHg/w640-h452/i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">I have 5 wonderful days in Luang Prabang supporting a regional workshop on enabling social protection, taste testing its famous <i>sai oua</i>, and biking through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">The triumvirate of Marx-Lenin-Ho hanging from the walls of the Luang Prabang Federation of Trade Unions was a strange encounter so is my failure to find a souvenir plate at the <a href="https://www.taeclaos.org/">Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">I sought refuge from the burning sun at the ornate central shrine of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Xieng_Thong">Wat Xieng Thong</a> and almost had a heat stroke chasing the crown jewels of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace,_Luang_Prabang">Royal Palace Museum</a>. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8ipS9D17toRUoBAQEYz0GYa-xM4rSuw3jPVulgP1zjozumPY5simfi6TCkrA6GdmLeCtCgrMcUmmD7p0rdXEq9C1ToLUd-_vvHxMH_e2pUffKZXpz4bAbw7FwUMcolH1BEmOMl4l4-hcuSWiseuTxxSKRkHoxCpc9qhNSHW5uNnPywxgrh4qjA/s1093/k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1093" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8ipS9D17toRUoBAQEYz0GYa-xM4rSuw3jPVulgP1zjozumPY5simfi6TCkrA6GdmLeCtCgrMcUmmD7p0rdXEq9C1ToLUd-_vvHxMH_e2pUffKZXpz4bAbw7FwUMcolH1BEmOMl4l4-hcuSWiseuTxxSKRkHoxCpc9qhNSHW5uNnPywxgrh4qjA/w640-h462/k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7_GROYIvANutrckymMVGtHmtBm48nmmMO_uSw58LqiS0tyLY4v9if4pW_l87BwF1r-v_C3ivBj9wZ3OLZWYAyYPbShW17GZj_sFQECVvDBI5EDWS5axliWudX0k74_SFRjsWL2D7cp9_Q7M6-q9VQDEsh1yjVOhyphenhypheniBEIhL68y4THcHtQfjcAPg/s1423/l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1423" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7_GROYIvANutrckymMVGtHmtBm48nmmMO_uSw58LqiS0tyLY4v9if4pW_l87BwF1r-v_C3ivBj9wZ3OLZWYAyYPbShW17GZj_sFQECVvDBI5EDWS5axliWudX0k74_SFRjsWL2D7cp9_Q7M6-q9VQDEsh1yjVOhyphenhypheniBEIhL68y4THcHtQfjcAPg/w640-h438/l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">And there were nights of Lao Beer at a "comfortable grilled goat shop", Luang Prabang Beer and grilled fish at the <a href="https://charliepauly.com/luang-prabang-night-market/">night market</a>, and more beer and deep fried bufallo skin at Sopha's place where everything smelled of cheap soap and perfume.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyoc3YZTfBu9hWPxxLOA77clj_u9br2ZdGahd1HPtpV30-J8G2uG26XiB72mPw1HPOsABbZyB1Hvs2OaY76ies0LkD-Qttdt0Fmes7DdK5hYXARW5ZGaKzdvW3XP9XSHB2dGzW22yF2XRZ-IM3rhj03xoBKEZpd9yjiJ_ilaEHDrPMwS47K-iVQ/s3000/MixCollage-07-Nov-2023-07-57-AM-8294.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyoc3YZTfBu9hWPxxLOA77clj_u9br2ZdGahd1HPtpV30-J8G2uG26XiB72mPw1HPOsABbZyB1Hvs2OaY76ies0LkD-Qttdt0Fmes7DdK5hYXARW5ZGaKzdvW3XP9XSHB2dGzW22yF2XRZ-IM3rhj03xoBKEZpd9yjiJ_ilaEHDrPMwS47K-iVQ/w640-h320/MixCollage-07-Nov-2023-07-57-AM-8294.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phra_Bang">Phra Bang </a>spoke to me and I will be back for more. </span></div></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-31149705274625526232023-10-30T16:57:00.005+08:002023-10-30T17:11:05.079+08:00THE MANILA AND BANGKOK LAYOVERS<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">PART 1: The Grind</span></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">“The sarcophagus ’neath his new city waits.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Pylons and angels guarding o’er his tomb..."</span></i></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br />A pilgrimage to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quezon_Memorial_Shrine">Quezon Memorial Shrine</a> was agreed even before payment requests were amended and disbursed for the monthly power and water bills, phone charges and credit card statements...</span> <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNTZlYQ5saFC-bojoO5SLRa6xCV1HzRkKbo0P3vweDo0e7XU34QTKLysiuC9Bn5VF01tTdXYEwTQDj2RIgImzArCTh1-NrO_PxMDH8TlP_ZZmQEPY5Moy6WbeBv5_v3wA1qTHIZRcSy7IvqxpOa2PIBDjK8hZ1TXmnga9TmgpdnX7WfdH7NDGGg/s1922/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1922" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNTZlYQ5saFC-bojoO5SLRa6xCV1HzRkKbo0P3vweDo0e7XU34QTKLysiuC9Bn5VF01tTdXYEwTQDj2RIgImzArCTh1-NrO_PxMDH8TlP_ZZmQEPY5Moy6WbeBv5_v3wA1qTHIZRcSy7IvqxpOa2PIBDjK8hZ1TXmnga9TmgpdnX7WfdH7NDGGg/w640-h488/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">...that were rejected by newly activated replacement cards, collaterals for pieces of concrete real estate in Hop Inn-Ortigas, Red Planet-Asoke and Hotel XYZ in Tacloban...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">...as the futile search for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johor_Bahru">Johor Bahru</a>'s budget codes topped the agenda of the <a href="https://acwc.asean.org/">ACWC</a> who will convene in Siem Reap a month before the Luang Prabang ToR takes effect...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">...to initiate the final <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Xieng_Thong">Ormoc</a> arrangements and social protection for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Xieng_Thong">Xieng Thong</a> where the I-JET and FFA PMUs will meet to decide on the fate of the missing mentee...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br />...who mixed a cocktail of Red Horse and cheap birthday brandy in lieu of an unmasonic charge, two tours in Bali, and the signing of a 6-month contract after 5 biking days. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4ygNOV3-g5PH3I2EDKA7vggbdL6Jx8p2Z7XaVnJ5xuVE4uQ1WpMnvmxWP_D7UpZ8Eme2uVG1VyCxaaNBY-mtti4IBKX1pQ1Cmtnd2MI2rSB0RBnBlQtiOi-fcWtF6t-UQAY6bcpTv-p3azHxu10KhoXXa2soS46_cX6q6HCrzMS6ZZ1QDhIt7w/s2560/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2560" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4ygNOV3-g5PH3I2EDKA7vggbdL6Jx8p2Z7XaVnJ5xuVE4uQ1WpMnvmxWP_D7UpZ8Eme2uVG1VyCxaaNBY-mtti4IBKX1pQ1Cmtnd2MI2rSB0RBnBlQtiOi-fcWtF6t-UQAY6bcpTv-p3azHxu10KhoXXa2soS46_cX6q6HCrzMS6ZZ1QDhIt7w/w640-h376/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>PART 2: The Ghosts of QC</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"Adorned in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federico_Ilustre">Ilustre</a>'s design he lies.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He rests at last with his murdered wife.”</span></i></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bcwrestaurant/">Boy Ching Woo</a> is framed in Caloocan</span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">chauffeur to dead presidents </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">curator of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Car_Museum">Presidential Car Museum</a></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Tandang Sora wept with the rain</span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">her <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandang_Sora_National_Shrine">National Shrine</a> disgraced </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Minore_de_San_Pedro_Bautista">San Pedro Bautista</a> relegated</span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>Pansit alanganin</i>, Neapolitan pizza</span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">premium finally paid by <a href="https://thepodium.com.ph/store/motorino-pizzeria-napoletana/">Motorino</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">brunch, dinner at Marhaba Lounge</span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mWrqxEGX7dlquXuB-iznhN3_0Gd2qjeLwW7PiKgwDSef937cLByEG28iwrzEKNnJlcn5kKks0_UOd5NYFc9zgXzdIg_EOdWUdzWmFMk9CmPIJmZQ0N2zUL7jjIjpNBHvf2LdPSttAT9aEpP3eRDfklvcv6stmu-qVSqMOymb3_KQp93e41r3rg/s2914/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2104" data-original-width="2914" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mWrqxEGX7dlquXuB-iznhN3_0Gd2qjeLwW7PiKgwDSef937cLByEG28iwrzEKNnJlcn5kKks0_UOd5NYFc9zgXzdIg_EOdWUdzWmFMk9CmPIJmZQ0N2zUL7jjIjpNBHvf2LdPSttAT9aEpP3eRDfklvcv6stmu-qVSqMOymb3_KQp93e41r3rg/w640-h462/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIHPIHXTVOhfQw85u6rB5X2wfsdd4Eev5VoX_ug_YYEgMqRMxNJKgQq3X-hpYruhM_9Dqxvtq2hmusD0d7veq5U-Q9BzUGtViUq1NpYrpvH3gRf7n9GPOrXABmh66Etp-n5dZ-h4Gs6zvLxqWHyI7ax_k6iv55kcOHcVSMho13qpvDJADA6U3xg/s2985/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="2985" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIHPIHXTVOhfQw85u6rB5X2wfsdd4Eev5VoX_ug_YYEgMqRMxNJKgQq3X-hpYruhM_9Dqxvtq2hmusD0d7veq5U-Q9BzUGtViUq1NpYrpvH3gRf7n9GPOrXABmh66Etp-n5dZ-h4Gs6zvLxqWHyI7ax_k6iv55kcOHcVSMho13qpvDJADA6U3xg/w640-h502/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMXXR0rtf0QS1BYc0Nmj0QWkzZptM4V4jK7kjjK47s7d7DJhUicVNCBv_WUQ_7b7nvGUN-4n76Ybde21p1tX-KZZzw9lUK0ANoNsboE56UsUqRUQa0HGaPnLrIfeDfCDGEm72iili6IyMHmdJABnRQxFRFxvfS19G_Vhv9iaJZVFD_LrxyvQTxA/s3000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMXXR0rtf0QS1BYc0Nmj0QWkzZptM4V4jK7kjjK47s7d7DJhUicVNCBv_WUQ_7b7nvGUN-4n76Ybde21p1tX-KZZzw9lUK0ANoNsboE56UsUqRUQa0HGaPnLrIfeDfCDGEm72iili6IyMHmdJABnRQxFRFxvfS19G_Vhv9iaJZVFD_LrxyvQTxA/w640-h320/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>PART 3: Sleepless in Bangkok</b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soi_Cowboy">Soi Cowboy</a> sleeps</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">a Red Planet of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_ua">sai ua</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">food tasting the trains</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">sapphire for a juice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">pork cooks in Room 408</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luang Prabang beckons</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggy4m5jSFAM8NTB_zEijgsY2yvVTDN2snFZAT76bbdROSlmIpYY4v_3UeztfTuPcu18u7dhTFWavi63WnM6HzXcO2OIK-qtCeiBGVURCB2S5RjqzxcUYgD-Et4xXqKCiCAcAeHQ5i_4qR3QsOi-utjgGcErmL6xi-2TdnzRL0uZ2RqLTwexKdbmA/s1440/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1440" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggy4m5jSFAM8NTB_zEijgsY2yvVTDN2snFZAT76bbdROSlmIpYY4v_3UeztfTuPcu18u7dhTFWavi63WnM6HzXcO2OIK-qtCeiBGVURCB2S5RjqzxcUYgD-Et4xXqKCiCAcAeHQ5i_4qR3QsOi-utjgGcErmL6xi-2TdnzRL0uZ2RqLTwexKdbmA/w640-h468/11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ85uRvRRnfiedxq6UVfjEsK4UteAu1X8q93vQFWg572Xy_LphOzkNtKc5idzMSzbhniCI9L0hd-c7UM_DUz4tRKZwKt1YVqEkhqdaoUQxbwXZOWYvzABHNrU_VKR8nM4SbWl6M_fvH5ZdzVpHvi_Hm4ZrQx4tdiia9VWZ8LpS67XVCC37uiHYw/s2560/Collage%20Maker-30-Oct-2023-04-47-PM-6169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ85uRvRRnfiedxq6UVfjEsK4UteAu1X8q93vQFWg572Xy_LphOzkNtKc5idzMSzbhniCI9L0hd-c7UM_DUz4tRKZwKt1YVqEkhqdaoUQxbwXZOWYvzABHNrU_VKR8nM4SbWl6M_fvH5ZdzVpHvi_Hm4ZrQx4tdiia9VWZ8LpS67XVCC37uiHYw/w640-h360/Collage%20Maker-30-Oct-2023-04-47-PM-6169.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn67-wFv4M3vrv5ggCH8mKGaaUtHE4nqNhBRZmENoDP7JrPW__GLfV3HV7LqO8lUAOZHwAr1NL8rsHhkYOybSvHAbRuW-YQghe6Z60vPsk0UGwe5DsMydFYAQ3izlMoSlIOYDEBjCSsXSC65dvHoAGUhvdQJkWTEdTqAYRjGwROtS9w1d6uvjqA/s2215/20231030_111008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1624" data-original-width="2215" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn67-wFv4M3vrv5ggCH8mKGaaUtHE4nqNhBRZmENoDP7JrPW__GLfV3HV7LqO8lUAOZHwAr1NL8rsHhkYOybSvHAbRuW-YQghe6Z60vPsk0UGwe5DsMydFYAQ3izlMoSlIOYDEBjCSsXSC65dvHoAGUhvdQJkWTEdTqAYRjGwROtS9w1d6uvjqA/w640-h470/20231030_111008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>--- With apologies to Dan Brown</i></span></div></div></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31231697.post-2215306605327150822023-10-23T05:30:00.002+08:002023-10-23T06:12:40.601+08:00LIFT OFF<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">her scent lingered, </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">a resilient ambassador to forgotten acquaintances who </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">skipped a Monday meeting in a bus to Bulacan, to the university a</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">nd a senator meeting with consorts at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rodicsdiner/">Rodic's</a> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">where reheated lunch was launched as a dinner at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/universityhotel.ph">The Patio</a></span></span><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj16eEhEPohqy__ASW91fhK6LHPJTAD8IMU9qmvFkUkvtdAYLxq2CrModt-73IV7Ig1lVc2sYP93uCHVnFzeuWR_lNJn-oJZC8RAm09RzYJuLl8l7L6KNwthkTwEZyvhymlL8djEF2iY24JFMaBGY9UUP61CUSx3TIQt_Aket04hI8Vc6JGJETg/s1348/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1348" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHj16eEhEPohqy__ASW91fhK6LHPJTAD8IMU9qmvFkUkvtdAYLxq2CrModt-73IV7Ig1lVc2sYP93uCHVnFzeuWR_lNJn-oJZC8RAm09RzYJuLl8l7L6KNwthkTwEZyvhymlL8djEF2iY24JFMaBGY9UUP61CUSx3TIQt_Aket04hI8Vc6JGJETg/w640-h478/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2uEZLQf75zvFwEwx-ryDs6BrhRQ-PsKi2mi3dDApypI5bkHHa2D8prxJm052vMqZKYrfz1evIhhac7vsUQzzU87lCAjxQyA9dtFMbi5e05z1DBUwgyUCT94bNO2PuOtWFxdP1c0QS2w48R08yHFFa8y76hAV0v2sT4v7loT3vVmPCK5juHROlA/s919/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="919" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2uEZLQf75zvFwEwx-ryDs6BrhRQ-PsKi2mi3dDApypI5bkHHa2D8prxJm052vMqZKYrfz1evIhhac7vsUQzzU87lCAjxQyA9dtFMbi5e05z1DBUwgyUCT94bNO2PuOtWFxdP1c0QS2w48R08yHFFa8y76hAV0v2sT4v7loT3vVmPCK5juHROlA/w640-h440/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">breakfasts at Morato, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>ribsilog</i> wrapped with blank pages of an HR contract in a </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">buffet of email spams offering fairly financed <i>tapsilog</i>, burger meals, and </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">a just transition from the green bus to a confused discussion on ASEAN influencing in Luang Prabang</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkGnyeREuYlHkpY8nK7rXBrpSzzX691mFI0qJYaI-Dc8aAc1PcvXVqnAHmMwXEZkWVidTgCvHnzgiczEk1KtfAbVEKz6jyTH-XECsrQCxfCOo0AhwQDcidKg_zqhMYLFr9V_lMVxmpb0Y6ctoHVucBoSeELI3Ch7cQmMpOe1u4eoIw4rGGxBtTA/s3508/Collage%20Maker-21-Oct-2023-02-27-PM-272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkGnyeREuYlHkpY8nK7rXBrpSzzX691mFI0qJYaI-Dc8aAc1PcvXVqnAHmMwXEZkWVidTgCvHnzgiczEk1KtfAbVEKz6jyTH-XECsrQCxfCOo0AhwQDcidKg_zqhMYLFr9V_lMVxmpb0Y6ctoHVucBoSeELI3Ch7cQmMpOe1u4eoIw4rGGxBtTA/w640-h452/Collage%20Maker-21-Oct-2023-02-27-PM-272.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1CB6O38bcphN4xt8nu7fguthqcCxUo251mJpFrkAEfUwYpWqjuR1mIojS9hz2sIg8Odg8BLEF_ZmO3OTeNubyLErlQGhLknbRHh0gR1Nxmt_kB_FB27Xwf0idGaePg3elSjddE92oLA8pJAPCjYiY09Vm9cMED_3MOgDo4xybuv6rk9DFdWFXA/s3508/Collage%20Maker-21-Oct-2023-02-29-PM-2169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3508" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1CB6O38bcphN4xt8nu7fguthqcCxUo251mJpFrkAEfUwYpWqjuR1mIojS9hz2sIg8Odg8BLEF_ZmO3OTeNubyLErlQGhLknbRHh0gR1Nxmt_kB_FB27Xwf0idGaePg3elSjddE92oLA8pJAPCjYiY09Vm9cMED_3MOgDo4xybuv6rk9DFdWFXA/w640-h452/Collage%20Maker-21-Oct-2023-02-29-PM-2169.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">the first PMU meeting, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Laos chocked by a loud Cambodian voice fostering a </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">6-month spending plan for a travel insurance through amended payment requests that were </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tried and Proven with a sweet brandy in Baloc and </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">cold strong beer in Bakal 2 </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl8_0zScWXKjhQonjI2Odq9m5p2HVQxFxTw1z5seN_-2Aan_COS5xucHPPHKsjUal_ge9gz8D4UmY3CGXZfTYoxxd69wg1maXNBJmXIWGjoM04wvvz-RV-lqrsWYElapd0ffOSibqPaQehTWpFc1aFvbroIFRV8LFIRUYhwmvOV8pbc5JqehMcA/s1645/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1645" data-original-width="1207" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl8_0zScWXKjhQonjI2Odq9m5p2HVQxFxTw1z5seN_-2Aan_COS5xucHPPHKsjUal_ge9gz8D4UmY3CGXZfTYoxxd69wg1maXNBJmXIWGjoM04wvvz-RV-lqrsWYElapd0ffOSibqPaQehTWpFc1aFvbroIFRV8LFIRUYhwmvOV8pbc5JqehMcA/w470-h640/10.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">a panel in Johor Bahru, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">330 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur is </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">25 kilometers via Singapore, just one of four days in the bike trails on a fuel of cheap </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">burnt wine from the Sunday market where a voluptuous lady threw furtive glances at the fish monger's stall</span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9JaYj5EF-J-FLrSZyKhZrBM9dNDyX7elF82GW8mrBebl8lzaK7NJ-Wi1UtVQ-gf7HzeFEy69vTsJksLxVv7-28heYtXqXO5agVUcxZXH2scW2cofvkIpcz5dq8Pt1rr3-IU1hMLg2trYORrF1iRdQSiPc2X51YozxWzLvb_ZveW0zYnpb_X00w/s4000/Collage%20Maker-22-Oct-2023-12-30-PM-9142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9JaYj5EF-J-FLrSZyKhZrBM9dNDyX7elF82GW8mrBebl8lzaK7NJ-Wi1UtVQ-gf7HzeFEy69vTsJksLxVv7-28heYtXqXO5agVUcxZXH2scW2cofvkIpcz5dq8Pt1rr3-IU1hMLg2trYORrF1iRdQSiPc2X51YozxWzLvb_ZveW0zYnpb_X00w/w640-h240/Collage%20Maker-22-Oct-2023-12-30-PM-9142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Shubert Cienciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00095119035001677481noreply@blogger.com0