December 2017 Blogs

2017: A Year in Review

(Dec 31, 2017) This entire year, I just traveled within the Philippines's 4 provinces, hopping from Iloilo, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Bohol, sometimes staying in a town only a few days before moving on. It was tiring! I was spending too much time planning, in transit, packing and unpacking. Towards the end of the year, I changed gears and decided to remain in one place for 30 days before moving on. This opened up a whole new dimension to my traveling.....more »»

Manhunt: Unabomber - movie review

(Dec 22, 2017) an FBI-centric 8-part tv series chronicling efforts made by the FBI that eventually led to the Unabomber's capture. This also takes the viewer into the tortured sould of a brilliant mind.....more »»

Breezy - Movie Review

(Dec 21, 2017) I was an impressionable high school kid when I saw this movie the first time. It blew me away in a very personal way. Breezy was iconic about the counter culture movement as it captured the spirit of the times. Being a hippie during that time was the coolest thing. I wanted to be a hippie, but didn't really have what it takes to be one or be seen as one. I see this movie again after all these years not knowing how I'll take to it this time.....more »»

Firefly Tour on a Stand-Up Paddle (SUP)

(Dec 19, 2017) I've done a few firefly tours on a pumpboat, but doing it on a paddle board at night along a river where our light source only comes from houses along the river bank? It was something I had to try!....more »»

Playing Mountain Bike Tour Optimizer

(Dec 18, 2017) Life continued at Fox and the Firefly with my single-minded focus on optimization. The resort already operates at a high standard with everything they do. I had to use a finer-tooth comb to uncover whatever blind spots there are. One such area is where my heart is - mountain biking...more »»

Back to Loboc

(Dec 13-17, 2017) Loboc would have been a 'been there done that' place after my recent 30-day stay. However, the good owners of Fox and Firefly Cottages needed someone who can look after their resort during their absence. They asked if I could be that guy. I said yes. I've lived in resorts and hotels the last 8 years of my traveling. I already know what works and what doesn't. I also have my own ideas I'd like to test. ....more »»

Goodbye and Thank You, Ubay

(Nov 14-Dec 13, 2017) After 30 days, it was time to pack-up again for a new destination. This traveling format has been challenging with Ubay. I would have left much sooner if not for my 30-day constraint. I didn't really meet anyone, it was always hot, humid and dusty, their attractions are not really noteworthy and there isn't really a comfortable hang-out place. What exactly did I come away with?....more »»

The Burden of Gift Giving

(Dec 12, 2017) With the holidays just around the corner, it's gift-giving season once again. We give gifts to those we hold dear, to those who expect it, to those we owe or to those gatherings where it's expected of us. This conjures vivid memories of gift-giving episodes that reflect the warped convention that was molded and spawned by this practice....more »»

Visiting the Ubay Stock Farm

(Dec 8, 2017) The Ubay Stock Farm is one of Ubay's touted tourist spots and it's just 10kms away from the town center. I wasn't sure if it was a petting zoo for livestock or a tour of a working farm, but with my few remaining days in Ubay, I thought I'd pay it a visit and see what it's all about....more »»

Marooned by Ed Stafford

(Dec 4, 2017) Marooned by Ed Stafford is a reality tv series where survivalist Ed Stafford is left alone on an isolated and inhospitable environment for 10 days before his extraction. He has nothing but a first-aid kit and cameras - that's it! No film crew, no food, no water, no tools, no match. He not only has to survive but he has to thrive!....more »»

Exploring Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) Island by Bike

(Dec 1, 2017) One km across the waters from Ubay towards Leyte is a small island about 17kms long, named after the Philippine's 8th president, Carlos P. Garcia. No one in Ubay talks about this island. What could possibly be there? It was a slow day in Ubay so I embarked on exploring the island on my bike....more »»

«« back to November 2017
»» forward to January 2018

ARCHIVE 2024: JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC

1970 | 1973 | 1975 | 1976 | 1979 | 1981 | 1996 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ALL BLOGS