9 things I did when I was 29

1. Lost my bus in Johor
Grew another year older and instantly reverted to an idiot. I was too caught up with watching a video on my laptop that when the bus I was riding from Melaka to Singapore pulled up at Johor Bahru’s Larkin bus station, I hurriedly got off, thinking it was immigration. On the upside though, I learned that even when you’ve lost your bus, there are alternative ways to go to your destination. Just relax and take it one step at a time… you’ll get there eventually with more stories to tell.

Calaguas Island
My workstation in Mahabang Buhangin. Such is the life of a travel blogger.

2. Saw proboscis monkeys in the wild
I was burning out from traveling last February and coupled with some money problems, I was ready to put off going to Kota Kinabalu. Up to the last minute, I was thinking whether I should still go. I’m glad I did because I had an awesome time — a serene boat ride along the river, gorgeous views (there was a cute Eastern European guy in the boat next to ours), great company (Hi Giselle!) and of course, seeing the unusual monkeys in their natural habitat.

3. Went to El Nido
I honestly never thought I’d be able to visit this dream destination. Thanks to Seair and some awesome friends, we had a blast swimming, snorkeling and basically just lazing about in this gorgeous paradise.

4. Slept underneath the stars in a deserted beach
The Philippines is home to some of the best beaches in the world, and Mahabang Buhangin in Calaguas island is one of them. Imagine a long stretch of fine white sand beach with clear turquoise waters gently crashing on the shore and there are less than a dozen people to share it with. Heaven.

Macau Bungy
Jumped without hesitation, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t scared!

5. Bungy jumped from the highest commercial platform in the world
Yeah, it’s not enough to just bungy, it has to be from the highest bungy! It wasn’t planned at all — I had this crazy idea of jumping when I got the invitation to tour from the Macau Government Tourism Office. The words “No refund” sealed the deal for me and I made my way to the 61st floor of the Macau Tower and jumped amidst all my paranoid thoughts.

6. Crossed the streets of Vietnam
Vietnam is known to be every pedestrian’s hell with the thousands of motorcycles that zoom through the streets. I remember when I was just starting to plan trips in 2006 that Vietnam is one place that I won’t visit on my own because I’d be to scared to cross the streets. As every travel guide advice, just walk slowly and don’t step back. Much like life.

7. Went to Disneyland for the first time
I never really thought about going to Disneyland, because I always travel alone and theme parks are never fun when you’re alone. But thanks to Nuffnang, I was able to enjoy it (and the Disneyland Hotel) both with friends and on my own. I have to say, the Disney magic is really something else.

Bagan Sunrise
One of the most amazing scenes in the world: watching the sky change colors over the tips of a hundred ancient temples that dot the horizon

8. Made friends on the road
I’ve always said it in this blog: I’m not friendly and terribly shy. As the blog grow though, so did I. Thanks to the people I met through blogging, I have grown more confident (a bit conceited at times, too), and I’m not as afraid to talk to people now. Go me!

9. Watched the sun rise over the ancient temples of Bagan
My goal for this year was simple: complete visiting the 10 ASEAN member countries before my 30th birthday. Yes, I cheated; it was supposed to be Southeast Asia, but I knew I won’t be able to do East Timor this year. Brunei and Myanmar were the last two in my list and I ticked them off just in time. It was a trip that almost never happened, but now I’m so glad I did — it was easily one of the best experience I’ve ever had. To all the people I’ve met and encountered during this last trip — Toni and family, Badong, Jim, Camille, Danielle, Kissman, Norli and Fateh — thank you. Your company was the best birthday present I can ever have.


Posted

in

by

Comments

29 responses to “9 things I did when I was 29”

  1. Wei Avatar

    What a great year! Happy Birthday Nina!

    1. nina Avatar

      Thanks Wei ๐Ÿ˜€

  2. Micamyx Avatar

    Macau Bungee ftw! Happy Birthday Nina! Sana makapag-travel din tayo together soon ๐Ÿ˜€

    1. nina Avatar

      Bungy daw, sabi ni AJ Hackett lol Onga Mica, kelan kaya tayo magkakasabay uli?

  3. chyng Avatar

    Disneyland is still the happiest place on earth! HAla nagulat ako perstaym mo..

    Happy Bday te! God Bless you more!

    ps – yung outreach ko ha. dont forget. sa Nov30 deadline.. hihi

    1. nina Avatar

      See, I told you madami pa akong di napupuntahan! ๐Ÿ˜›

  4. Cla Avatar
    Cla

    Loved your list. Happy birthday, Nina!

    “Iโ€™ve always said it in this blog: Iโ€™m not friendly and terribly shy.” — Sabi ko na nga ba eh, hahahaha!

    1. nina Avatar

      Mahahaha! Dapat isasama ko yang adventure natin sa list kaso… I’m shy XD

  5. Cha Avatar

    wooooot first time to post a comment here in your blog hahaha

    Happy Birthday Nina!!! Thank you so much for the friendship and also for sharing your experiences and learnings ๐Ÿ™‚ It’s really a great help for everyone who reads your blogs and wants to travel, too ๐Ÿ™‚

    have an awesome year ahead!!!

    1. nina Avatar

      Thanks Cha! It was great to meet you din ๐Ÿ˜€

  6. Sinta Avatar

    Happy birthday, hun!

    1. nina Avatar

      Thanks Sinta ๐Ÿ˜€

  7. freeze Avatar

    bravo! happy birthday nina! cheers to more trips! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. dyanie Avatar

    clap clap clap! ang dami mong na achieve! winner na ang pag bungy jump! dapat pala lagi na may no refund factor para wala ng atrasan hahaha!! ๐Ÿ˜€

    thanks for the friendship teh tska sa mga pagchichismisan natinsa gtalk hahaha!!

    1. nina Avatar

      Haha thanks Dyan! See you in HK! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  9. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    Ah Pagan ! What a truly mystical place . Many fond memories . Burma was a completely different place when I was there in 1982 . Now that Aung San Suu Kyi is no longer under house arrest its about time to return .

    1. nina Avatar

      Whoa, that was a long time! You know, you probably wouldn’t be surprised when you come back. It probably looks the same as it was in 1982 (specially the cars!)

      1. Markl Avatar
        Markl

        I hope so , we had 7 days to see as much as possible …and it was amazing ! Loved every second of it . The whole time in Burma cost US$10 lol . Bought a carton of 555 cigarettes and as bottle of Johnny Walker whiskey in Bangkok and sold it to the taxi driver upon arrival in Rangoon for Kyats , and that paid for the whole trip . Met some fantastic Burmese people and their families and have memories that will stay with me forever.

  10. flip Avatar

    “Iโ€™m not as afraid to talk to people now.” hehe Go Nina!

    1. nina Avatar

      Achievement yun! lol Thanks Flip!

  11. pinoy boy Avatar

    wow! completed ASEAN! good job nina!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. nina Avatar

      Thanks Jerik! Mukhang matagal pa bago ma-complete ang Southeast Asia!

  12. ma-ane Avatar
    ma-ane

    Am jealous with your life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I borrow it for a week please….

    How have you been?

    1. nina Avatar

      Haha, my life is not as exciting as it seems XD

      I’m doing good ๐Ÿ˜€ Kelan kayo mapapadpad uli ng Manila?

  13. dementedchris Avatar
    dementedchris

    What an awesome 29th year! Bilis, punta ka na rito!

    1. nina Avatar

      Ilang araw nalang!

      Ilang araw nalang, mayayanig ang Kalibo sating tatlo XD

  14. Christian Avatar

    Hi Nina, thanks for dropping by!

    Been following your blog through e-mail for a while now, di lang ako maka comment, bawal browsing sa office eh haha.

    Anyways, I’ve met your friends during the awarding at the Canon office, bloggers din sila right? They even gave me a calling card. ๐Ÿ™‚

    So envious of everything you’ve done before you turn 30. Galing! Keep it up! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. nina Avatar

      Thanks Christian ๐Ÿ˜€

Leave a Reply to ninaCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.