New Year Requirements

Folks in the Chinese-speaking world make a beeline for the major temples to pray for health, wealth and prosperity in this newly-minted year:





The crowd at Singapore's Kwan Im temple was so thick it had to be regulated by rent-a-cops.

Some folks here say the fact that my birthday falls on CNY 09 is a lucky thing. Well I'm not Chinese so this doesn't apply to me at all :P

Aaaah... Boraaaaah...

Finally, after almost 4 years...



I made it back to Bora!

Between my last visit in 2005 to now, there's been quite a few changes. The old boat stations 1-3 exist only in name now, and cars are already allowed inside the island. There 's also a concrete road running parallel to White Beach now, and Club Bazzura - poor Club Bazzura - has since gone.

Been around some of Asia's best beaches, though, and I tell you - still nothing beats Boracay :)

We Interrupt this Blog To Bring You a Special Announcement:

VIVA SANTO NINO!!!!!




It's the month of the Christ Child once again, and its party time throughout the Philippine islands :)



HALA BIRA!!! PWERA PASMA!!!! VIVA SANTO NINO!!!!

In Invitation:

SOUTH OF EAST: The Travel Photography of Lester V. Ledesma

Multi-awarded travel photojournalist Lester V. Ledesma presents timeless glimpses of Asia in this stunning collection of limited edition photographs at the Art Space of the Royal Plaza on Scotts in Singapore.

The exhibit entitled South of East: The Travel Photography of Lester Ledesma will be presented at the prestigious Art Space from January 15 to February 9, 2009.

The photographs taken over a span of five years, through Ledesma's countless journeys to South and Southeast Asia is a testament to both the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this region we call home.

Photos were taken in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam and Taiwan.



Ledesma is the 2002 ASEANTA Awardee for Excellence in Travel Photography, the 2005 ATTA Silver Medalist for Travel Photography, and the 2006 PATA Gold Awardee for Travel Photography. His work has been showcased in prestigious international photography expos such Chobi Mela Festival of Light in Bangladesh, Photoworld International in Manila, and the Singapore International Photography Festival.

South of East is organized by Art Sentral Asia in cooperation with PSA International, Unilever, and GoodNewsPilipinas.com. For more information and a preview of the photographs log-on to http://www.ArtSentralAsia.com/, or email artsentralasia@yahoo.com

The First Sunrise of 2009

...was hidden behind thick clouds. Here's the classic view of Angkor Wat from the southern moat.



This shot is so common it's been taken by everyone. But the view is so beautiful that everyone must take it :)

What Would You Do If...

You are a Buddhist monk walking along the shore in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, and you come across a sea monster on the sand. What would you do? What would you do????



You have a picture taken with it, of course!!!!