Healthy Full Meal

12/14/201204/08/2016 / bunsongpayat / Leave a comment

October 26, 2012 of Naxi House, Lijiang

One thing that really amazed me in our stay in Lijiang is we were able to visit a house of a Naxi family (one of the many minority groups in Yunnan). It was not just a short visit to take photos, but also we were served with lunch by the Naxi family in a way that we feel like we were living in their house. It was really an authentic experience: breezy air, sitting on tiny chairs in their porch, wooden chopsticks in our hands and hot tea from old kettle. And look at our very hearty lunch! They are all fresh vegetables and bread! We shared all these food and refilled each others’ teacup while we were talking about Naxi culture.

It felt so homey. I forgot that I was just visiting the place. I almost decided that I wanted to stay there forever. Hahahaha!!

Now, this is what I call – Classic Exploration.

Shangri-la in Yunnan

11/19/201204/07/2016 / bunsongpayat / Leave a comment

October 24, 2012 of Shangri-la, Yunnan

In Philippines, when you say ‘Shangri-la’, it is the high-end shopping mall in Ortigas or five star hotel in Makati.

In China, Shangri-la is the most beautiful landscape view of mountains.

Oh, Lights!

11/17/201209/10/2016 / bunsongpayat / Leave a comment

December 2011 of Shah-alam, Malaysia

Gardens City of Light was already magical when we were still 2kms away. Located in i-City of Shah-alam, one will question how they were able to put up all those trees made of led lights. There are also a stadium, rows of restos, mini train and giant Christmas trees. The garden does not even need a streetlight to light up the whole compound.

But go there with a car or make arrangements with the taxi driver because if you won’t, you might need to wait for more than an hour or two.

Early Morning is Always Perfect

11/16/201204/07/2016 / bunsongpayat / Leave a comment

October 28, 2012 – Dongchuan, Yunnan

We woke up very early so we can witness the rising of the sun in Damakan. We left our cars in the steep highway then stood in a small balcony that serves as the viewpoint. For around two hours from six in the morning, we stood there with our cameras in our hands.

All of us had either rented van or private car. Ours was around 135rmb for half a day. In Dongchuan, if your goal is to take pictures of the ricefield, sunset and sunrise (which, I think, was everyone’s reason why they visited the Red Land anyway) you have to have your own car so you could follow the sun’s glowing golden light on the ricefield as it moves from east to west.

Traveling without Facebook and Twitter

10/30/201207/10/2016 / bunsongpayat / Leave a comment

Guess I have to congratulate myself for spending my days here in Yunnan without Facebook and Twitter. I can only share my discoveries on Instagram because the other two are banned in China.

But this is for my own fortune, I believe. I can immerse myself here without the tempting distractions. I have now time to be excited about my plans tomorrow which I might not have if Facebook is accessible. I am actually enjoying my stay here in hostel (blogging and watching billiards from the terrace) more than I might be when tweeting. This China’s ban on Facebook and Twitter freed me from social media “responsibilities”.