Hollywood Boulevard: A Trail Of Stars

My eyes wandered off to the glitzy signs.

"Pass me a pair of stilettos please!", I wanted to call out to the Shoe Gods. Preferably the ones Beyonce wore in her "Crazy In Love" music video. Cause yah know, a pair of hot heels befits a sashay on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Not my tattered flip flops.

Beware of the force that envelopes the backpacking mum!
It was our last day in Los Angeles, about six months ago. I felt it was apt to cap off our ten-day California visit with a Hollywood tour, even if it meant looking like a family of unkempt hippies in the midst of Glamourville. Okay, that's quite an exaggeration for I counted a bunch of pedestrians shabbier than us.

If you're fond of getting dolled up, you know what I mean.

As of November 8 this year, the Walk Of Fame consists of 2,454 stars (Wikipedia). Erm, that's tons!
From our parked car on Vine Street, we strolled northbound following a trail
of stars toward Hollywood Boulevard. At the intersection of the two streets, not a star but a moon greeted us. It bears the names Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins of the Apollo XI Mission.

Someday, she shall have her own star.
Aside from souvenir shops, we weren't looking for anything particular. As soon as we turned to Hollywood Boulevard, random people approached us offering free admission to be an audience of a so and so show. And to my horror, Shrek popped out of nowhere and offered to pose with me for a photo. You see, for some strange reason, I'm a Shrekophobic. I immediately cringe upon the sight of this ogre. I dashed away from the bewildered Shrek (did he just mumble "What's your problem lady?!") to the amusement of my hubby who's totally familiar with my peculiar phobia.

Shrek, leave me alone.
We stumbled upon several other characters: Mrs. Incredible, Spiderman, and Catwoman who looked like she was working the streets (yah know, the dirty kind) whenever she inserts cash in her bag whilst chewing a gum. We only asked Darth Vader and his Stormtrooper BFF for a photo. Before snapping shots, Darth said they uhm, ask for tips. He also asked where we're from. When we replied "The Philippines", Darth excitedly confessed "I love adobo and pancit!".

He reminded me of the Mexican I met at Santa Monica Pier who loves these Pinoy dishes as well.

Kodak Theatre sits on a spot where historic Hollywood Hotel once stood.
Though a photo with these Star Wars characters is already an awesome souvenir, I still purchased a few knickknacks, from the usual fridge magnet and jigger to the more pricey shirts. After shopping, we agreed to call it a day since the parking meter was counting down our minutes (we also had to return the car that the hubby's employer hired for us).

Back to our commuter selves, after returning a hired car.
I sulked when we passed the Kodak Theatre on the way back to our car for I was not able to watch the American Idol finals (yes I could be tacky sometimes) live the weekend before. I honestly thought the universe allowed me to be whisked to California for such purpose. But ugh, I wasn't able to score tickets for no one could babysit Luna.

Anyhoo, better luck next season. And let me tell you this, when I return... I shall be catwalking in them killer stilettos.

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Snapshot Saturday: Postcard #9 Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

It's day 158 of our round-the-world trip and our third weekend in Santa Clara, California. Today's postcard is from Alcatraz also known as "The Rock", an island on San Francisco Bay that was once used as a fort and a prison (which once held the infamous Al Capone).

It is now a National Historic Landmark.

It's not too late to join! Email your address to gaye.emami@yahoo.com. Recipients are chosen via Random.org.

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Review: Pousada de Coloane Beach Hotel, Macau

Our folks' horrible night was over. My daughter's harrowing day on the other hand, had just begun. The whole gang was in high spirits when we checked out of Sanva Hospederia, a century-old rundown hostel where we stayed overnight. The shabby rooms left most of us sleepless, and its resident mosquitoes marked our then seven-month old daughter Luna with nasty bites.

We were looking forward to finally moving in a semi-swanky accommodation, something my parents and our backpacking infant truly deserve.

View of Cheoc-Van Beach from the hotel's open terrace garden.
My sister hailed a cab along Avenida De Almedia Ribeiro, a couple of blocks from Sanva Hospederia. Only she and our parents with Luna in tow hopped in, for cabs in Macau allow a maximum of four passengers at a time. And instead of taking another cab, hubby and I walked to the bus stop near Grand Lisboa Hotel.

Mum gaily waving from their room's balcony.
Bus 21A whisked us out of the bustling Macau Peninsula and to the almost-southernmost point of sleepy Coloane Island. The driver, who didn't speak a single English word, gestured for us to alight at a deserted stop after we showed him the hotel's name in Chinese on a piece of paper. We shuffled to and fro the street, in search of the hotel. It took us about five minutes to spot a teeny weeny sign and a staircase heading downhill, partially hidden by dense foliage.

Standard room with twin beds for 750 MOP (exclusive of service charge and tax).
The pool lies at the foot of the stairs. I found my father sitting on a lounge chair, lazily watching a couple of guests swimming despite the chilly climate. He rose when he saw us emerge from the bushy rear access and led the way to the front desk where my mom and sister were waiting.

A private jacuzzi in each room.
The marketing officer I had been corresponding with regarding our reservation via email is Filipino. He swiftly processed our check in and handed us the keys. The bellman, another fellow Filipino, assisted us to our rooms. The whole family was awestruck as the doors unveiled beautifully furnished Portuguese-style interiors.

The hotel's restaurant which serves awesome, authentic Portuguese meals.
Four-star Pousada de Coloane Beach Hotel has only two types of rooms: The standard room which has twin beds, and the superior room which has a king size bed. Each of the hotel's 30 rooms has a jacuzzi and private balcony overlooking Cheoc-Van Beach. Such features made me choose this particular hotel. The rate of a standard room is 862.50 MOP, inclusive of service charge and tax (230 MOP per additional head, service charge and tax included).

Open terrace adjacent to the hotel restaurant that has an unobstructed view of Cheoc-Van Beach.
We booked one room for two nights for my parents and sister, but only one night for me and the hubby (uhm, we slept at cheapo Sanva Hospederia again for our last night in Macau). 2,587 MOP is a hefty price which we shelled out the first time for accommodation (our post-wedding honeymoon suite cost only half of the standard room rate), but we never regretted such expense... Especially after seeing the sheer mirth in my folks eyes as they laid on their beds. Priceless.


Unfortunately, we didn't have time to idle. We're heading out that afternoon to see The Venetian and City of Dreams. So yeah, I had to drag my dreamy parents out of the plush sheets.

Macau Series: Meet My Backpacking Folks

Meet My Backpacking Folks
Century-Old SanVa Hospederia
Largo Do Senado: And The Family Chaos Continues

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Snapshot Saturday: The Golden Gate Bridge

Is not golden at all. Not even a mere speck. The Golden Gate Bridge is in fact splashed with the hue of international orange, a shade of orange used in engineering and the aerospace industry to make something stand out from its surroundings. This 1.7 mile-long suspension bridge is named so for it's built over the Golden Gate, a strait that links San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean.


Last Saturday, we had the chance to cruise along the bridge when we took our traveling toddler to Bay Kids Museum in Sausalito. Northbound is toll free, while southbound cost us $6. The east sidewalk is open to pedestrians all year round. Creepy fact: The Golden Gate Bridge is the most popular place to commit suicide in the world (second is Japan's Aokigahara Forest).

San Francisco will celebrate the bridge's 75th anniversary next year, if you're visiting the city check out their website for events.

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Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka: Ruins Of An Ancient Capital

Not as grandiose as Angkor Wat. Then again it's not a temple complex, but an ancient Sinhalese capital. So ancient in fact, that it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the planet.

Anuradhapura's underrated charm does not lure tons of flip-flopping, shindig-seeking gap packers. Instead, it beckons busloads of retirees and a handful of travelers whose idea of adventure may not necessarily include beer tasting around the world. Seven months ago, as new parents craving for tranquility, we belonged to the latter mob.

Rough Ride

A trustworthy tuktuk driver picked us up from our Couchsurfing host's home in Kandy early morn and drove us to the bus terminal. The driver directed us to an air conditioned mini bus bound for Anuradhapura, which spared us from dealing with touts. We bought a bunch of samosas with mystery fillings for brekkie before hopping aboard. The bus was packed in a matter of minutes, and we rolled out of the frenetic terminal in no time.

Though the bus was full, the driver kept picking up passengers until we were sardine-packed. If you ain't claustrophobic, this bus can easily turn you into one. I pity the standing passengers who had nothing to cling onto. They toppled like dominoes on the aisle whenever the driver hits the brakes or does a daredevilesque overtaking stunt. This went on for three hours. I feared not only for our lives but also for the life of an infant on board. We were relieved Luna didn't join us for this trip.

Guide Named Wimala

Shervin and I obviously made it to our destination alive, but with a newly acquired phobia. We alighted at a random bus stop near the city center and headed straight to a food place for lunch. A stranger helped us order for there was no menu. This man named Wimala also offered to take us around the ruins since he's actually a tuktuk driver (surprise, surprise).

After finishing our meal of bland fried rice (well it's either that or a tear-jerking spicy curry dish), he took us to a cheap guesthouse (1,300 LKR or about $12 a night for a double room) called Lake View Tourist Guesthouse which despite its name does not have a view of some lake. We spent no second idling. After dropping off our backpacks, we asked Wimala to drive us to the old town, pronto.

The Ruins

Admission to the ruins will set you back $25. The ticket counter is located somewhere within the vast complex. Since there are several entry points, tuktuks aren't properly monitored. We didn't pass by the counter when we entered, but we paid the "ticket fee" to Wimala. Fishy ain't it? We didn't point this out however because he only charged 5,000 LKR or $45 for the two of us, and this rate included hiring his service for three hours.

He's well-equipped with information anyways. His impressive knowledge about his city's history made us feel that the money we shelled out was worth the tour. He lent us a brochure to browse as he took us to the following sites:

Isurumuniya


An old vihara (Buddhist monastery) where the sacred tooth relic of Buddha in Kandy was originally kept.



Mirisawetiya


The first dagoba (a dome-shaped shrine that houses sacred relics) built by Great King Dutugamunu. It may not seem magnificent, but being more than 2,000 years old (though underwent several renovations), it is definitely an architectural marvel.


Not too distant from the dagoba is a tree with prayer flags hanging onto its branches.

Lankarama


A stupa built under the rule of King Valagamba. Pillars surrounding the stupa indicate that the structure was once roofed. It was originally Lankarama monastery's center.

As we left the dagoba, I looked up to the sky and saw rainclouds fast approaching. It was going to be a mad dash to the other sites. Stay tuned for the continuation.

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Sydney To Suffolk Park: On The Wheel

Despite the algid New South Wales spring eve, my palms were sweaty. I peered into the darkness and took a deep breath. After a tenth glance at the rear-view and side mirror, I finally mustered enough guts to step on the pedal.

It had been five years since I was last on the wheel. I'd like to think I was a good driver for I frequently drove from Manila to Mariveles and back (about five hours each way) two to three times a week for work. I used to be a "Sales Engineer" for a construction company, and back then, one of my top clients was situated there.

But hey, five years is a really long time. And may I add, I had never driven overseas (I ain't even entirely sure if I'm allowed to drive in Australia with just a Philippine license) and on the left side of the road, so you could imagine how terrified I was that night.

Taking over. Gripping the wheel oh so tight.
We were on our way to a Suffolk Park, a quaint suburb south of famous hippie town Byron Bay, where we'll be staying for six weeks in a caravan park. About every minute, a vehicle or two zoomed past our beat up, borrowed car which we named Gumby (simply because it resembles the hue of this peculiar clay character).

Suffice it to say that, Pacific Highway at that time was far from bustling. This gave me courage. To the hubby's surprise, I kept my foot on the accelerator until I reached the speed limit. Like a kid reunited with his bike after ages, I got my groove back in a breeze.

Almost an hour into my driving, I noticed the fuel gauge indicating that Gumby's almost out. I found it odd for it showed that my tank's half filled just a few minutes back (this taught us not to trust an aging, $700 car). A quick consultation with our GPS device informed us that the next petrol station's a mere four kilometers away. This should have given us peace of mind, except, the engine died right after we checked the GPS.

Pouring petrol through a makeshift funnel made out of a disposable water bottle, which we cut up using my nipper.
I managed to let Gumby glide closer to the shoulder. The car broke down past a curve. In total darkness and with a 110 KPH limit imposed, this is most definitely a dangerous part of the highway to be in. In my head, I knew time is of the essence. I scrambled out of the car while Shervin took over the wheel, so he could whisk it out of harm's way. I pushed the car by myself with all my mortal might. And chakra.

Then we both started flagging zooming cars and trucks. It was frightening to leave Luna in the car by herself (it was too cold outside), but with Shervin wearing a black hoodie, I thought he might come off as a suspicious character to motorists. Our daughter weeped as she watched us from the backseat. Her sob, muffled.

In less than five minutes, a SUV pulled over a few meters ahead. While Shervin spoke to the driver, two more vehicles stopped by. I thanked the others and assured them that we're already taken cared of. The three men aboard the SUV are Pakistanis, and have been residents of Australia for years now. They didn't want Luna and I to be left by ourselves in the car so we all squeezed in theirs.

Free dinner from Good Samaritans: Pizza and Krispy Kreme doughnuts!
At the petrol station, we bought five liters of fuel in a can which should have been enough to take Gumby to the station so we could fill him up. Unfortunately, when we returned to our car and refueled it, it showed no response when we turned on the ignition. The Pakistanis had to make a second trip for another five-liter can. They let us wait in our car as we munched on Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts(!) which they provided us.

It took them about half an hour to get back (we saw them miss our car, they did another lap through the nearest exit) With ten liters of fuel, at last, the car roared to life. Before leaving, they offered to keep an eye on us until we get close to the petrol station. They also gave us leftover pizza which we actually ate for dinner (uhm, aside from the doughnuts).

We bid farewell through our respective windows as we approached the turnoff.

One-hour nap at a random rest stop.
The incident left me a bit rattled but not badly shaken. In fact, I offered to drive again and even stayed on the wheel from midnight until six in the morn. Shervin was able to take intermittent naps. Intermittent because I kept waking him up whenever an Optimus Prime (gigantic truck) tailed us (cause that seriously freaks me out) or I saw a roadkill on my path.

I almost ran over a kangaroo too, so I asked him to scan his side of the highway and warn me if he spots yet another suicidal one. Most species of kangaroos are nocturnal, hence they actively hop around and feed at night. It was my first time to see them in the wild, however I was not too stoked cause yah know, I never imagined playing patintero against them with our lives as bets.

Hubby and I never intended to do an all-nighter. In fact, we first agreed to spend the night in Newcastle. We ended up driving further and agreed to sleep in Port Macquarie instead. Changed our minds, drove further and agreed to finally retire in Coffs Harbour. None of these happened because our willingness to sacrifice for a few bucks (cheapest double room in a motel is priced at $60) outweighed the idea of giving our weary bones a break.

Well actually, we both did take an hour nap at some random rest stop, quarter past six in the morning. After which, reenergized Shervin was in charge of the wheel for the last time that ten-hour drive. Two hours later, we settled in one of the most charming cabins we've ever seen!

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Snapshot Saturday: Postcard #8 Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park, New South Wales

It's day 144 of our round-the-world trip, and we've finally settled in U.S.A.! We're totally not excited about spending winter in California (after a long Australian winter), but since the hubby's visa approval took ages, we didn't have much choice. It's just been two days since we arrived, and already we're heading out to see what Santa Clara offers.


Today's postcard though is still from Australia, which I mailed a day before we left the country. I purchased it from Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park where we had a shoot for Couchsurfing's promotional video! Will tell you guys all about it on a separate post. Someday.
It's not too late to join! Email your address to gaye.emami@yahoo.com. Recipients are chosen via Random.org.

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Batan Island, Batanes: Old Spanish Bridge and House Of Dakay

The misty, winter morn progressed in a whirlwind. A pace that overwhelmed my sleepless being. I awkwardly joined the blithesome chatter amongst a wacky bunch of characters I just met that day. We're all winners of SEAIR Batanes Winter Bloggers' Tour Contest, and were on a road cruise around Batan Island.

Old Spanish Bridge. Journeying James taking a photo of us taking a photo of him.
My half-slumbering brain struggled as it ingested Batanes facts shared by our guide, Engr. Joseph Dy. Like schoolies on a field trip, every so often we hopped off the van to visit Batan's famous attractions. The first-timers' infectious enthusiasm kept me on my toes, and their constant chuckles kept me astir.

Bless and James lovin' the local kiddos.
After an obligatory snapshot at Ivana's welcome signage, we alighted on Ivana Bridge. Engr. Dy pointed at the Old Spanish Bridge (most likely the oldest in the province, functional to this day) across us. James sprinted towards it and the rest of us trudged after his footsteps. We found a couple of local kids crossing to the other side, who shyly posed for our cameras.

House Of Dakay.
Not distant from the bridge is the House Of Dakay, where we headed next. This traditional Ivatan house, one of the survivors of a 1918 earthquake, was named after its former owner Jose Dakay Estrella. Descendant Florestida Estrella, fondly called Lola Ida by everyone, is its lone occupant today.

The house's exterior wall. Beautifully made with unpolished corals.
Though a bit sick, Lola Ida welcomed us in her humble abode. Her old age is depicted in her somewhat sluggish movement, but the glint in her eyes expressed a younger aura. Our party of seven fit comfortably in the teeny, sparsely furnished house. We gathered around her and sat on the floor, mimmicking the set of Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang sans granny's rocking chair.

Lola Ida. Under the weather but on top of the world!
We listened to her recollection of the past, and how she lives her golden days in this renowned house. I must say, she herself is an attraction. How I wish we had more time to stay with her longer, but we had not even accomplished a quarter of our must see list (plus she was in dire need of rest anyway).

Sadly, we bid farewell much too soon. Lola Ida watched us walk back to our van. Her face, illuminated by faint rays, was perfectly framed by the antique window. A picture I was not able to capture with my camera, but is embedded in my mind.

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Snapshot Saturday: Lighthouse Beach

We broke the long ten-hour drive from Gold Coast to Sydney into two. Our Couchsurfing host Chris, a British who's been living in Port Macquarie for thirty-six years now (and a gold mine of hilarious traveloques), took us in for a night even though we were traveling with a toddler.

Behind his beautiful backyard is a trail through the rainforest which led us to a road parallel to Lighthouse Beach. We sauntered along this beach northward until we reached the foot of a rocky headland where there's a flight of stairs to a lighthouse perched atop. The cutest we've ever seen. More on that lighthouse later...

Because right now, I'm packing for the Nth time. After four months, we're finally flying out of Australia next week!

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Tube Travel Tuesday: The List Goes On

And we're back to virtual traveling through the tube (though in real life we're currently on a six-hour drive from Gold Coast to Port Macquarie)! Today, five more travel bloggers share flicks that don't blatantly state "Hi, I'm a travel film", but inspired them to explore the world anyway.

After that long weekend vacay burning a hole in your pocket, grab a copy of each so staying in this coming weekend won't be so bad.

3 Idiots


Josiah of Lakas Ng Trip:

"One of the 3 bestfriends suddenly disappeared after graduation in an engineering college. When the other two got a lead on where their friend was, one emergency landed a plane and the other left his home with only a shirt and his underwear. They then found a not-so-good friend from college where their journey begins around the breathetaking sceneries of India only to find their friend.

The story is done with intermittent flashbacks on the present day and their wacky adventures in college where they learned a lot about life, pursuing their dreams and how they can be the best at what they do.

This movie made me realize that travels should not always be planned. Sometimes you just need to stop what you are doing, go out and do the things you want. There are a lot of flashbacks in your life that will happen during travels and those will make you realize if what you did in the past episodes of your life was good or bad."

Sin Nombre


Dennis of Nomadic Pinoy:

"Released in 2009, Sin Nombre is a very gritty, emotionally-charged movie tackling "greener pastures" for two different Latino characters who meet by chance on a rail journey to the United States. The girl (Sayra), prodded on by her estranged father, goes north to escape poverty in Honduras while the boy (El Casper) is trying to escape from the shackles of gang violence in Mexico.

Captivating cinematography brings the audience up close to the dangers that illegal immigrants from Central America face as they embark on a hopeful journey to a better life in the States. This voyage honestly mirrors that desperation and melancholy so many people face which oftentimes and painfully so, end up in defeat.

This kind of journey may not be everyone's cup of tea but Sin Nombre effectively depict hopes and dreams as a long road full of potholes. So raw, so sad, yet so beautiful."

Outsourced


And another fave of Dennis:

"This was the movie (besides Slumdog Millionaire) that got me wishing for a plane ticket to India. It's hilarious, candid and a great peek at the cultural rift between the West and East. When an entire call center department in Seattle was outsourced to India, Todd Anderson (played by Josh Hamilton) was sent to train his Indian replacement at a remote location. The cultural shock he encountered on arrival in Mumbai - like hiring a taxi and catching a train - was just a prelude to the many experiences that many other travelers to developing countries encounter. Todd's naivete on so many things outside America becomes apparent even as he tries to Americanize the accents of the Indian call center agents. In no time, the Indian characters all around him - especially the outspoken co-worker Asha and his friendly replacement Puro - made him more at ease with the customs while at the same time gaining a traction on the very reason why he was sent there in the first place."

View From The Top


Lloyd of The Lost Boy:

"View from the Top's plot is amusingly simple. Here is a small town girl Donna (Gwyneth Paltrow) who wants a job away from her hometown. When her boyfriend breaks up with her through a birthday card and she quits her job, she got inspired by a TV interview with Sally Weston (Candice Bergen), a retired star flight attendant. Donna packed her bags and started her dreams up in the air as a flight attendant at Sierra Airlines, a regional carrier. She knows she has bigger dreams, so she went to Royalty Airlines. The road was tough though, as she was conflicted between her career and romance, but nothing stopped her from achieving her dream of flying to "Paris, first class, international."

With REALLY bad reviews, people have dismissed this as an offensively horribly movie, but this movie inspires me. I also want to be a flight attendant for the travel opportunities, and flying simply amazed me. I just know that my dreams are up there and in different places around the world."

Amelie


Kara of Travel Up:

"The French film Amelie inspired me to look at everything - both in travel and life in general - in a more positive light.

Set in a beautiful red and green-tinted Montmartre, Paris, the film is a about how a highly imaginative but shy waitress changes the lives of people around her, while struggling with her own isolation. The movie brings together a cast of interesting characters, including Nino, a young man who Amelie is drawn to because he strangely collects discarded photographs from passport photo booths and pieces them together.

Amelie finds joy in simple pleasures and concocts complicated plans in order to help the people around her. Through her schemes, she helps her father pursue his dream of going around the world, gives closure to a neighbor who thought her husband abandoned her years ago, and plays practical jokes on a bullying neighbor to make him question his sanity.

I love the idea of a world where ordinary things can be extraordinary - how discarded photographs can be one's treasures, and a garden gnome can travel the world. I've always been a pessimist and an introvert and there was a time that I dreaded talking to people I didn't know. In a way, this movie inspired me to go beyond my comfort zone, take more risks and open up more. Now when I travel, I relish the experience, focus on the positive highlights and just let go."

Cast Away


Dane of Tramping Philippines:

"Its a movie about a fed ex superior that unfortunately got his plane struck down by a storm. He eventually washed up the shore of an uninhabited island and discovered that there's no one else there to help him survive other than, of course, himself

It got me sort of inspired by the way he tries to survive without the technology of our present time. The things he do I try to emulate while we're on the mountains. For example, I actually dont bring lighters and matches during climbs, instead I have a flint. And I start to create fire using nothing but ol mother nature himself. haha. Its pretty weird but learning survival stuffs kinda helpful as a climber and actually helped me realize how some things can be made through natural materials."

How about you? What movie/documentary made you pack your bags and go?
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