Come soon, December!

View Break 2012 in a larger map

Working full-time has changed my style of planning my travels... and I get surprised of myself that I check always for the tickets and prices months before my trip.  Obviously because I am now bound by rules and I cannot just get on a plane with a one-way ticket with indefinite date for my return.

However, I got around it.  And I am now so looking forward for December.

My destination is now very much influenced by friends...  So it will be a series of get-togethers and catching-ups!

MNL-BKI (Cebu Pacific)

I want to see the sweet Muslim family who have let me stay with them when I was in Kota Kinabalu.  It was almost the start of Ramadan 2010 when I was there.  The Mama, Siti, has taught me how to cook different Malaysian dishes.  The highlights of which are the Mong Beans Soup with Durian (sweet) and Fried Marang coated in Batter.  I even managed to bring back to the Philippines some Nasi Lemak wrapped in Banana Leaves.

BKI-JHB (Air Asia)

I also met there young Chinese-Malaysians who were so full of life.  One is in a travel and tours business and the other one in arts - mainly accessory making and clothes  designing.

JHB-KUL (Train)

I'll take the train this time.  I just want to meet up with some old friends from the liberal party of Malaysia and  another friend I met when I volunteered for the World Ecotourism Conference 2010.

KUL-BKK-CNX (still to be determined)

I still am not sure how to get there BUT I'll get there by land.  Jungle train is my first choice... hitchhiking too!  Well, I'll have around 3 days to bring my ass up to Bangkok then to Chiang Mai in time for New Year with Manang Meow.

CNX-HAN via Laos (bus, definitely)

I crossed this way before.  But I was coming from the other direction and it did not include Thailand.  I know I'll be passing through Dien Bien Phu again as my entrance to Vietnam.

Another good friend lives here with his family.  My travel buddy when I was studying in Germany.

And finally, HAN-MNL

And I'll be arriving at 5 in the morning on a Sunday and hope to get enough sleep before diving into the new year in the office.

December, please come soon!  My itchy feet is really excited to be crossing borders!!!