It's Spring time

Hello there, I know it's been a while since I've blogged. Oh well, today I have been busy with making another travel video. 

Youtube videos have been popular lately and I do miss editing videos so why not...

Hope you can check out a few of my videos. Still getting the hang of it and trying my best to be patient with editing again haha

Enjoy, like and subscribe! 

Weekend Getaways: St Albans, NSW

Okay, so to spice things up, I've decided to make a series of blog posts with a certain theme. And the theme for today...Weekend Getaways! It will be anything and everything from bush walking, road trips, unique places or accommodations and suburban wonders that we can explore within a weekend or just a couple of days.

So for my first Weekend Getaway Series, I would like to share the picturesque town of St. Albans. Less than two hours north of Sydney, I would definitely recommend this for those who feel like they need to disconnect from the hustle and bustles of the city!

Spring time Spruce up

It's the middle of Spring on this side of my world. However, today is one of those days where the weather has gone a little bit travel unfriendly as we are off to a week of rains and thunderstorms. 

So what a good excuse to do some sprucing up of my very own blog. Basically, just started to choose a different background and cleaned up some widgets.

I have always been thinking of re-designing this and hopefully make it more presentable and useful to any readers who are still able to reach my blog.

On a different note...

Since moving to Australia, I've been to most touristy places here but I haven't written that much about it. I have also been to a number of National Parks and Camping grounds and I think it's high time I share those experiences and adventures with you! With the covid-19 still among us, I know we won't be travelling too far  across the seas, so this makes it a reason for me to explore what more we can discover in this land called Australia.

What I love especially here in NSW is that it's got a central website to search through the NSW National Parks. It's even got an App and an instagram account! It's my main source of travel inspiration when I have hose uninspiring days and I just want to plan something for an adventure. All the infos are there and all  you have to do is click and choose where to go.

So I will try my best to write them all up and hopefully in a more regular basis 😀

Audley Village with the view of Hacking River

Covid Diaries: Restrictions Easing Soon?

It's the  7th week since we started working from home.

Some restrictions are now easing. Last week, here in NSW, 2 visitors are now allowed in a household for socialising purposes.

But, shops are still only open for take away and deliveries.

Roadtrips for leisure are not yet allowed.

In short, we are still basically stuck at home.

However, news this morning suggests some more restrictions might be loosened by end of this week. And the government is now preparing business to open by July.

It is two months to go but I wonder how we will navigate the new normal in time of pandemic.

Noting that July is also peak of winter. And I have yet to get my flu shots too.

Are we going to continue working from home?

If not, how do we commute to work if everyone starts going back to work especially at peak hour?

And most importantly when will international travel be allowed...oh well, just some questions popping on my mind.

On a lighter note, I still have a personal to do list to accomplish anyway while on lockdown. And I hope I really do!

• Take my drivers knowledge test
• Get my learners license so I can do some driving lessons and finally get a full license
• Sort out my tax
• Learn to cook pan de sal
• Sort out my clothes, shoes, accessories which I can sell - make way for new stuff hopefully

Let's see in a couple of days if I get to put a check on any of these haha

Till my next ramblings...

Here's a photo I want to share for today, cos I deeply miss the feeling of hopping on a plane. Looking forward to my next vacation!

Ramblings in time of COVID-19

Hey folks,

I'ts been a long time since my last post, I know. In my last post I said I'll try and blog more...but here we are...3 years after!

It's roughly around 2 weeks since we started social restrictions here in NSW. At first, like many others, I thought it wouldn't get as bad. But 2 weeks on, we are here. Locked into our homes with no certainty when this will be over. And just thinking about it, I feel like it will take more than a couple of months.

Every morning, my ritual now includes checking the news, of whether cases have gone down or there are new restrictions being introduced. This, coupled with checking any updates on Facebook. Mainly, what's been happening in my home country Philippines. What's new and trending I guess so I don't get FOMO. Lol. Kidding aside, I can't help but compare the situation and how this crisis is being handled in both countries....don't want to go in detail though but here's to hoping we all get through this...and stronger on the other side.

Next week is the easter long weekend. It will not be the usual long weekend now that everyone are supposed to stay home. Usually, by this time, we would have leaves blocked on our calendar, flights and hotels booked and excited to get to another journey across the country or over the globe.

Don't we all miss that.

For the meantime, be thankful, we have roof over our heads and food to keep us going, and family and friends though far away will still be on Fb messenger or skype !

As for me...looking to continue binge watching on Netfix. I'm on to Ozarks Ep 9 Season 2...then jump on to Money Heist (La Casa De Papel)  after.

Sharing a photo below...because I miss heading to the national park!

Take care,
Karen

Blue mountains - 2017 Can't wait to go on bush walking again

Guess I'm back at writing again

It has been a while since I posted anything on my blog. And then a few weeks ago I realised my karenvaldez domain is no longer working so I'm back at my original blogspot website. I will try to recover my domain soon but for now, I guess it's me back again at trying as much as I can to document my travels. I missed writing and traveling of course. And what other way to spark the travel bug but to write again about my past travel experiences. And I hope it is good way to tell the universe that I want to travel again...haha :D

The Grounds of Alexandria and The Potting Shed

I've just been back 2 weeks ago from another trip to Aussie. It was a quick 2 week trip which is mostly related to work but I'm lucky we still got the chance to find time to visit some new places I haven't been to before. I'll blog that with a separate story and will post pictures as well.

My last post was about my 30th birthday, lots of other travels happened after that which I hope to document here too. Some were family trips to Tagaytay and Baguio. Ahh, now I miss Tagaytay and the cool weather. It is summer and I'm sure we are all craving for that ice cream or halo halo to beat the summer heat.

Baguio is a different story, I didn't find it really appealing when we went there as there's too much traffic and too many tourists. 

Some travel plans coming up with my good travel buddies on November...and so much looking forward to that as I haven't travelled with them for quite a long time.

Anyway, this is just another quick post...here's a picture of one of the happy place I got a chance to visit while I was in Sydney last March.

Easter bunny setup at The Grounds

Cebu: 2012's Year-End Trip

I have to thank the bed weather today. I finally got the impulse to start writing again here in my humble blog. 

Looking at my last post, I can't believe it was as far back as May when I last wrote something! I feel really lazy these days, swamped with work the past few months so I'm just happy I have weekends to savour and do stuff like writing.

There's a lot that has been going since my last post. I went to a 2 week trip to Aussie last July and by far it was one of the most wonderful trip this year. There are few more trips remaining for the year. Anyhow, I'll post more about those in my succeeding blogs. But for this time, I have to go ahead and continue with some backlogs.

Last December of 2012, I was gladly been invited to my classmate's wedding in Cebu. I know, we have to fly all the way to Visayas. Well, I took it as another way for me to travel and probably enjoy other sites I haven't been to in Cebu. It will only be my second time in Cebu, and the first time I went there was when we had a quick stop for our Dumaguete-Siquijor trip. So there were still some sites I haven't explored yet.

I booked my flight care of my Mabuhay Miles. So I only had to pay for the taxes. I think the total only went down to 900 pesos for that round trip flight. I was booked into the Business Class seat since there isn't any seats left on the economy. I flew via Philippine Airlines (not the AirPhil express) and there isn't really that much on the Business Class actually.

Personal On-seat TV/Monitor

Thank you Mabuhay Miles!

My in-flight snacks

I stayed in Tunes Hotel with my other classmates in UST. The wedding happens the next day.

2 Bedroom Accommodation

Tune Hotel just a walk from Ayala Center

It was quite a nice and clean hotel. It looks to be new and just got the basics. The twin room for 2 persons almost cost us 3000 pesos, with aircon and toiletries. You actually have to pay for the aircon and toiletries separate from the room accommodation.

It was a short walk from Ayala Center Mall so it was very convenient for us if we need to eat or buy any thing we need.

If I remember, I arrived in Cebu in the afternoon. I came with my aunt and cousin who are both staying at our relative in Cebu.

The following day was the wedding.

The wedding was held at the St. Joseph shrine and the reception at Crimson Hotel in Mactan.

That's me looking classy...:P

Crimson Hotel's Infinity Pool

The Beach just across the venue of the reception

Crimson Hotel was really nice and the beach looks refreshing. There was an infinity pool and by the looks of it the place seems expensive. Maybe one day I'll be back and try to stay there.

The day after the wedding, I was supposed to fly back to Manila but my aunt insisted I extend my stay so I get to attend my Lolo's 92th birthday. So I did. Without a blink of an eye, I bought another flight leaving on the day before new year!

I had a great time with my extended stay. Aside from meeting our relatives in Cebu, I finally got the chance to visit other places. 

We went up the top of Crown Regency. Dropped by the TOPS, it was one of the stops in the Amazing Race Philippines. We also went to Plantation Bay Mactan and Fort San Pedro.

Magellan's Cross

I want the Dora balloon haha

 

Edge Coaster at Crown Regency

Getting a view of Cebu City from the top of Crown Regency

Nice and quaint bar in TOPS

Cebu is almost like Manila. Very commercialized too.

Anyhow, I consider this trip a great year-ender for my 2012. I would probably go back again to Cebu to see Oslob for the whale sharks unless I get to see them already in Donsol. Yes, it's on my bucketlist too.

Great Travelers Garage Sale

I'm so glad to be part of the first ever Great Travelers Garage Sale. It was an idea by the Sole Sisters Lois and Chi Chi which gathers like minded travelers hoping to fund their next travel pursuit, the idea of the garage sale seems a good idea to kick start our goals.

The garage sale featured wonderful items like clothes, shoes, slippers, books, bags and all sort of stuff from fellow travelers. The sale started morning and lasted until afternoon.

I was able to sell my old canon camera, some lanyards, the bangles and a pen!

Here are some photos. Thanks to WeAreSoleSisters for coming up with this. I think we are cooking up another one, soon I hope! To Monette of Flip 'n Travels for hosting the garage sale in their humble home and to those who also dropped by! Til the next one!

Shoes for sale!

Aileen and Mallow visits me at the garage

Gian, a fellow couchsurfer also dropped by and gave me a gift!

Happy shoppers

Paul, Monette, Tito Ed and Gian

Sorting out stuff

Bags, books, clothes

Accessories and Books on display

These cute purses for 100 pesos

Lovely shoes!

A buyer checks out the clothes

10 Things I Miss about Sydney

I'm just so sorry I still can't keep myself thinking about how I miss Sydney. One of my favourite travel bloggers, Gaye of Pinay Travel Junkie, has been updating us of her Sydney side trips that I can't help but reminisce the times and places I've encountered myself when I was there.

On my way home - 1 week before Xmas of 2005

I love Philippines but there's just something about my stay in Sydney of almost a total of nine months, that has really captured my heart. Apart from the nice places I've been to there have been very notable differences in how they do things and stuff. When I travelled to Sydney some of the things may have been culture-shocking for me but some also got me into understanding why Philippines is like this and Australia is like that.

High Street, North Sydney

The view at Blue Mountains. It is blue.

I have travelled around Sydney and nearby areas such as North Sydney, Artarmon, Chatswood, Manly, Bondi and also as far as Blue Mountains. So my list would probably be limited to what I have discovered in those places. Thus, I can't be sure it's the same experience to other states such as Victoria and Queensland.

So anyway, here it goes.

1. Transportation

This has been one of the things I would probably miss.

Bus stop at Tamarama Beach

The New South Wales, the state where Sydney is included, has their scheduled buses and trains. Every bus stop carries a list of times about when the bus arrives. Sometimes these buses also carry the brochures. Additionally, their online transportation and planning site 131500 also carries the updated bus times. It's just nice that they have these very organised. One time, I got on a bus with a Sydney colleague who was actually being assigned to verify the correct timings of the bus. So they definitely work on ensuring they got the precise timings. Trains are also the same, although I would say they also get delayed, their monitoring of the train times are also precise. Their trains have intercity and inter state routes so there's another good option of travelling around.

Circular Quay ( Quay pronounced as 'Key')

View from the Circular Quay train station

They also have a good option to get around through ferries. I definitely love Circular Quay and riding the ferries. Hopping onto the eastern side by crossing the Sydney Harbour and enjoying the sights has definitely captured my heart.

They have good deals with regards to bus and train passes. During my stay, I normally take the weekly pass. It's an unlimited pass on bus, train and ferries to a specific zone and really a great deal especially if you move around the area often or on weekends.

I also liked the fact that during times that their train has maintenance schedules. Buses always take charge of the routes affected. And take note, these alternate buses run for free. That means, you can actually travel for free! There was also a time when free bus service goes around the city. I suppose that was when they are doing great efforts to boost tourism which is really quite a nice idea.

Well, I can go on about these, but so far those were the notable things.

2. Pedestrian lane and strict traffic rules

I would definitely commend how their people give high regard to pedestrians. One time I was crossing the pedestrian lane going to work. I wasn't even about to cross when a passing car already stopped and waited for me to cross the street. This hit me a bit because I know how in the Philippines, pedestrians would have to risk their lives crossing even on a 'Pedestrian Lane'. Cars would even honk at you!

I remember when one of my bosses visited and told us of how he had quite a hard time crossing the street. He know all too well that he should cross on the right lane but probably surprised that cars do not really stop.

They also do follow rules because they have cameras on the road. While travelling one time, a colleague drove me home and he almost thought something flashed after we crossed the street. I think we tried to beat the red light and the camera just flashed to take its photo! They are cautious because a number of traffic violation and their license will be suspended.

3. Parks, parks and lots of them

Though Sydney is quite a progressive city, I had figured out it's not just about tall buildings and stuff. There's a great number of parks in and around the city. They love sports like football and rugby so they definitely enjoy these outdoors and parks.

Picnic at Manly

Chilling at Bondi

Robertson Park

Waston Bay Park

The overflow at Sydney Olympic Park

Botanical Garden/Park

Nice fountain at Hyde Park

My favourite parks include Hyde Park. It has a nice fountain and a row of trees. It's next to St. Mary's Cathedral and the malls in the city so when I get tired of my shopping day, I would get something to eat and just sit in one of the benches and enjoy people watching.

I've been wishing we would have a nice park closer to our home here in the Philippines.

4. Trash and garbage collection

I don't know why but I just find it amusing that they have a nice way of collecting the garbage. Theirs is somewhat automatic. I'm not sure if I'd be able to describe it properly but when they collect the garbage there is only one man looking after it and it's also the driver of the garbage truck.

How does this happen? Well, the garbage bins are built in a way that the rear of the garbage truck has some mechanism to pick it up and turn it over to put in all the trash and after that, put it back down. The one manning the truck just have to push the bins to where it's originally placed. Can you imagine that?

5. Encouraging active volunteer-ism

I do find it really nice that most of them and even companies try to help out their communities or some worthwhile cause. During my stay I have encountered and heard of the Lights Off Australia, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea and Mo-vember being introduced and brought up in our AU office. This goes to show that companies are not only for keeping their financials healthy but also try and share that to their community.

I know this also happens here but I don't think it is given that much attention or support. Just my opinion.

6. Tissue in every rest room and hand driers that works too

Yes, even those public toilets have tissues, working driers (though I did encounter some defective ones) and hand wash. I just can't remember if there was any toilet I've been that didn't have tissue! It's so not Philippines...

7. Some groceries avoiding the use of plastic bags

Aldi is one. They do offer plastic bags but you have to pay for it. So whenever I go there I usually bring my own shopping bag. Most of the groceries also advise the use of the green bags...there's actually all sorts of colours that I got from Coles and Woolworths that I have collected during my stay. Red, blue, violet and pink if I remember. I think it's just nice and cool that they give high regard into doing steps to help out the environment and reducing the use of plastics.

8. Regards for commuting students, seniors, children and disabled

Commuting students, seniors and disabled are definitely given discounts. Sometimes, even the bus driver is the one telling you about the discount. I had this funny encounter one time when I got on the bus with another Filipino colleague as we are supposed to go to the mall. When we got on, we went to the driver to pay our fare. The driver smiled and confirmed if we are students! Haha Myself and my colleagues exchanged glances and returned the glance to the driver to say -- No! Imagine we could have passed as students on that day. And that wasn't even a school day. We aren't even wearing uniforms, duh!

I also liked that their buses are built to conform to disabled passengers and children strollers. There's some mechanism on their buses such that the other side can be lowered down and the wheel chair can actually get in! Plus there is always a reserved seat for them or for elderly.

9. Long walks

Because I love parks, I also enjoy the long walks. One time, I was so bored in my apartment I just went for a walk around my area in North Sydney. Even though I didn't know where I was heading, I just walked on and didn't mind. I discovered there was a nice little park across the street where people go on picnic and is next to  a small harbour great for sight seeing. I found nice row of houses on a certain street. And there was an art house somewhere as well. I wasn't that worried even if I walked alone. I don't know why but I just felt safe in that area. But of course I don't do it at night...

10. Laid back lifestyle

I loved their idea of working hard and playing hard and trying to make time for family, rest and relaxation. Not that we don't do it here. It's just that in Sydney, they do work as expected but they also set aside time to enjoy their hobbies, play sports, get into some activities and indulge into some relaxation. In some cases, I find that their life is also simpler. Imagine their malls actually close off the 5pm normally. Also, most of them engage in sports and active lifestyle.

Care to join a game of chess

IMAX Theatre at Darling Harbour

Mardi Gras Parade

Rugby Game at Aussie Stadium

Wooh! So that's it. Don't worry I may go on with this for a while, but I still love Philippines :)

Just some thoughts to think about and analyse some things between ours and theirs. It's not about belittling my humble country but actually thinking about what could be done on our part, on my part and being open to these ideas and possibilities that would somehow help our country and it's people; perhaps to inspire as well. If they can do it, why can't we?

Seriously, I'd be happy to have tissue papers in all our toilets especially public toilets! :)

Brunei Trip Day 2

We are supposed to get up at 6am and leave the house with our host, so he can take us to the ferry terminal where we can catch the ferry to Labuan. Unfortunately, we overslept and woke up almost 7:30am and he is already bound for work. So we decided to just catch the last ferry before noon probably by 11:30am.

So we left the house and waited a while for a bus. It took a while for us to get one. A purple bus #38 then arrived and we asked if it can drop us off to the ferry terminal. Fortunately, the driver is Pinoy and gave us the directions. We actually have to take another bus from the terminus - #33. While waiting, we decided to get something to eat from the nearby shops. I had a quick bite on the crab stick. Sam and Nichole had banan pie and ice-cold Milo.

Getting our snacks

A few minutes passed by and the bus #33 has arrived. We boarded the bus and off to the ferry terminal. What an unlucky day, there wasn't any 11:30 ferry and the next ferry is already at 3pm. It turned out there is only a 7am, 8:30 am and 9 am ferry to Labuan. We thought of what or where else to do for that day. We then made a quick decision to head to Temburong.

Serasa Ferry Terminal

Random Thoughts On a Good Friday

When I was still a kid, there was once a time I found something peculiar in my left foot. With interest I discovered I had a small flat mole in one of my toes! They say if you have mole in your feet, you are bound to go to places. That belief has become true to me ever since I laid my foot outside the house on my own!

The mole that made this all happen...hehe

Enjoying the road that leads to somewhere

As a kid, we are not really allowed to travel by ourselves. We go to school in a service vehicle that picks us up from house and brings us back. When we commute to different places in the metro, we are always accompanied by our parents and/or our titas. In short, I've never travelled on my own until I was in college! Yeah, first year of my uni-life was the first time I had to ride a jeepney and fx by myself and travel to Espana, Manila where my university is located!

It was truly a strange feeling. I was a bit worried too because then I don't have anyone older person to assist me and pay for my fare. I was at first shy to pass my fare and say 'Para' so I can get off the vehicle. But it was all good. I had my own share of misfortunes during those times. But hey, it's part of growing up.

Throughout my growing years, I have seen family and relatives arriving from overseas. So I've always wondered how it felt to ride a plane and fly up in the air for a number of hours. Must be really scary?

And then comes a time when I myself would finally be up the air on a plane heading to a place I've never dreamed I'd set foot.

It finally dawned on me how much I was enjoying walking around, looking at maps, getting lost, being back on track again, catching a wrong bus or train, meeting new people and experiencing extraordinary random things!

Travelling has made me look at life with fun and excitement. I've realised there is so much to discover beyond the four walls of our humble house! I've realised how fun it is to meet people and listen to what they can share.

Travelling taught me to be more open and to accept things as they come. If I can't change it then there's no point crying over spilled milk. I'll accept it and head on to the next journey. It has always changed the way I look at things. That in some ways even if you plan for something one thing or the other there is something bound to fall over so what do I do? Well, just continue to enjoy the travel.

Travelling has also taught me that experience is the best teacher and the people around you are like books. Don't judge a book by it's cover...is usually true!

Up to this day, I would never regret I chose to make the journeys I did. I have been thankful that I had all these opportunity and still continue to receive all these blessings in life. And I'm still looking forward to the next journeys of my life.

*Have a blessed Good Friday!*