2009's here!

It's been a whirlwind of travelling and parties over the past month. My favourite time of the year has come - time to say goodbye to 2008 and usher in the new year. Looking back, 2008 has been perhaps the best year in my life thus far - in terms of discovering more of who I am, finding my favourite places in the world and being closer to my loved ones.

Let's look back at one of the best years I've had -2008:

• A wacky 3 Kings day in Granada, Spain with some good friends
• Sledging in Oslo, Norway and meeting a superb Norwegian host - an extremely memorable experience!
• Sleeping under the stars in the White Desert, Egypt
• Climbing the rose-red cliffs of Petra, Jordan
• Finding my favourite place in the world - Tanzania, Africa where I taught the best students of Bomani Pri Sch
• Seeing my family again in Singapore
• Sleeping in a tatami room in Miho's home, Tokyo
• Climbing the Great Wall of China and witnessing works of history in Beijing
• Fell in love with rustic SE Asia - Vietnam and Cambodia
• Having some of my best friends visit from all over - Melinda, Hannah, Heiko, Emily!
• Most importantly, started freelance travel writing! 

With 2009 here, here are my new year's resolutions and I can't wait take a peek at what the new year has in store for us! 

• Get published on more travel websites and magazines - Bootsnall and local magazines
• Finish up my new website, and turn it into a success!*
• Develop a stronger style of writing
• Learn Italian! - Buongiorno!
• Spend more than 3 months travelling Latin America*
• Play with the sealions at Galapagos Island
• Visit Vanessa in Argentina!*
• Finding a permanent home - hopefully we can buy our own house...

I know I know, it's a lot for 1 year of resolutions, but hey - I fulfilled ALL of my resolutions last year, so why can't I be a lil greedy and set my standards higher this time round? ;)

Diving the waters of Sipadan, Borneo

A hawksbill turtle

Spending X'mas in Sipadan was perhaps the best break of 2008. After a year of major changes - moving from Spain to Singapore, travelling in Africa, and short trips around tropical Asia, I urgently needed a break from everything. Just time to sit, relax and clear my head alil.

Thou it didn't feel like X'mas, with the tropical heat and the oceanic setting, we undoubtedly immersed ourselves in the beach bummer lifestyle both of us adore. Everyday was breezy and carefree - waking up to a stunning sunrise by our simple water chalet, diving the deep waters and swimming amidst turtles, then napping away on our verandah overlooking the sea in the evening.

Looking out on our verandah

On our little piece of haven in Sabah, we found heaven. Truth be told, I had been swaying in the seabreeze and getting high on the smell of saltwater too much to even realise that I was still on earth.

Tons of untouched islands dot the area - we dived around Sibuan Island where we found 3 turtles playing hide-and-seek under the coral reefs, and clown fish mingling around with the sea anemone. As we reached the shore of Sibuan Island, some 3-year-old boys stared at us, stark naked and smiling in puzzlement. We were told later that they were Filippino immigrants who'd taken refuge on this previously uninhabited island, living on their own catch from the sea, and basic rattan huts they'd thatched together themselves. Inhabited by perhaps only 20 of them, Sibuan is an unspoilt, rustic island that had managed to escape the clutches of tourism, as yet.

the children of Sibuan Island

clownfish playing amongst the sea anemone

blue Dory

Pufferfish

Schools of batfish

For every diving enthusiast, Sipadan is the Mecca, and the ultimate answer to paradise. It's what dive worshippers have been looking for. Blessed with rich biodiversity, you can find over 500 species just of coral and 3000 species of fish around the reefs of Sipadan. From the intimidating white-tip sharks to abundance of hawksbill turtles, Sipadan is one of the few sites in the world where you are guaranteed a visual feast of marine life. Luck was on our side as we were almost caught in a whole school of trevallies as they swam in coherence with one another. A turtle even swam so close to me, like he wanted a cuddle. I just stared straight into his eyes, and said hi to my new friend.

turtle amidst the colourful corals

school of trevallies

What makes Sipadan a world-famous dive site is its majestic drop-off that seems to cascade down to endless depths (700metres).  Sipadan Island is only 14 hectares in size, encircled by vibrant coral gardens, which are cut steeply vertical into the deep sea. The drop-off is where you can find incredible diversity and density of marine life, and the most popular dive sites like the barracuda point, and white-tip avenue.

black-tip shark

I had the most fun with this interesting group of divers - all middle-aged Malaysians who had funny tales to share and a heart of gold. They were there to calm my nerves and share their precious life experience with me. 

Dive haven in Sipadan

On our little piece of haven in Sabah -the Malaysian part of Borneo, the coral reefs are endless, bright and teming with life, while turtles swam freely right by my side and sharks roam the area in their predatory fashion. For every diving enthusiast, Sipadan is the Mecca, and the ultimate answer to paradise. 

It was nothing like I'd ever seen, and I think, I've almost found my heaven...

Lapland - Santa Claus's birth place

Photo by Rob 

With the festive season around the corner, I'm working on a X'mas article, in which I wrote about the intriguing Lapland (Sweden and Finland) - where pure white snow covers sloping mountains and deep forests. Nowhere else in the world can be more magical than the legendary birth place of Santa Claus. Reindeer sleighs and huskies snowmobiles. A child's fantasy cometrue.

'Imagine exploring the mythical Sarek National Park on huskies' sleighs, along the King's trail, past deep forests, lakes and bare mountains. The 3-day trip will allow you to sleep under the stars, where you might just witness the magical aurora, and spot a few moose, reindeer and lynx. With commercialized tourism yet to be developed, there are no tourist cottages or hordes of travelers around - you'll be guaranteed a genuine Christmas adventure. Snow-mobiles and ice-fishing are also activities that you can rarely indulge anywhere else on earth. To get an authentic experience of the Sami culture, you can even ski with tamed reindeers to Skaite and Lake Peuraure! Definitely the best Christmas trip you can have!'

http://www.laponia.nu/

MERRY X'MAS!! Wish everyone a dreamy white X'mas!

Angkor Wat by night

A trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia recently made me go through waves of self reflection and wondering when the world would be a better place, for some of the less fortunate. This journey has given us a clear insight into the past - how it has shattered millions of lives, destroyed the country and especially the permanent consequences of war.

Still, the city of Siem Reap has so much beauty and culture remaining despite years of war. 

Here are some pictures of the Angkor Wat by night.

10 tips to bargaining your way across the globe

While travelling through any corner of the world, you're bound to be stuck one way or another in the maze-like Djemma el Fna souk of Morocco, or the Ladies Market in Hongkong. With a tip or two, bagging handicrafts and souvenirs might not be that tough after all! 

Check out my travel article at:

http://www.travelguidesdb.com/world-travel/10-tips-to-bargaining-your-way-across-the-globe.html

Be sure to vote/comment! The best article of the month wins US$1000 in cash!

My Bella Vita

I came across the blog of this American girl who fell in love with an Italian man in Paris, and moved all the way to Catanzaro, Northern Italy. They restored his childhood home, and transformed it into a lovely B&B. She talks about her beautiful life in the Italian suburbs, and every other thing under the sun. 

Their story kinda reminds me a lil of our own (I choose to think of it as romantic as theirs.) I'll love to visit them if I'm in Italy again!

http://my-bella-vita.com/

http://ilcedro.wordpress.com/ (B&B website)

Temples you must see before you die

Macchu Picchu - Peru

Shwedagon Pagoda -  Yangon, Burma

Tiger's Nest Monastery, Bhutan

This interesting article lists the most historically rich and religiously intriguing temples in the world - definitely temples you need to see before you die!

http://www.travelguidesdb.com/world-travel/temples.html

Sailing the Caribbean onboard the Sol Searcher

Brady on Matador Community is looking for a sailing partner to sail through NW Caribbean on his boat Sol Searcher. He'll be leaving Guatemala Dec 15th for Belize and then heading to the Bay Islands of Honduras at the end of March, and expecting to explore Panama and Colombia come May.

Anyone up for some solitude and sunset in the Caribbean?

http://www.sol-searcher.net/

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Stumbled upon this hostel while blog-surfing.
Amazing coastal views, right by the lighthouse,
50miles from San Francisco.
Affordable yet country-style rooms,
white picket fence and wooden furnishing.
Perfect for a wkend getaway.

http://norcalhostels.org/pigeon/