Author: columbusbee

A finance professional who works to travel. Like Christopher Columbus, the bee has traveled near and far and continues to evolve as a citizen of the world. A foodie at heart and a believer of natural, organic alternatives, the bee maintains a pragmatic approach to life to keep a healthy mind, body, and soul.

I Got Vaccinated and My COVID Antibodies Are Off The Roof

Health Buzz

Fatigue started to kick in 12 hours after injection

Yes, I got vaccinated. COVID vaccine that is. It was a personal choice. I know there are still a lot of questions on vaccines that are still left unanswered, but I felt that I needed it. Not want, but need. As I’ve said, it was a choice and respecting the choices that other people make, such as not getting vaccinated, is paramount. As long as we keep our masks on and maintain our distance (even pre-COVID times, there are people who have no concept of personal space), we can all co-exist without prejudice and discrimination. We just need to constantly remind ourselves that we still have the right to decide what’s best for our bodies, yet we also have a responsibility to each other. As the basic law provides, one’s rights end where the rights of another begin (ok, I’m a frustrated lawyer lol).

Which vaccine did I have? I remember last year, around the time of the US election, while I was religiously watching the coverage (I wrote about it in my earlier article “Biden-Harris Presidency: What It Means To The World” https://columbusbee.blog/2020/11/08/biden-harris-presidency-what-it-means-to-the-world/) when in one of its news segments, CNN featured a doctor (or a scientist, can’t exactly remember now) who is part of the team that developed the Moderna vaccine. In the interview, she talked passionately about the work that they did and how much she believes in their product. She was so proud of what they have created that she even volunteered during the clinical trials. I thought that if this person made a conscious choice to get a jab of the vaccine while still on clinical trials and came out unscathed and praising the same, then it must be something good. Days later, I started researching about it, as well as the other types of vaccines (vaccines are based on different technologies, some cutting edge like Moderna and Pfizer, others old school like Johnson&Johnson and AstraZeneca).

So that’s how my love affair with Moderna started. It has always been my first choice, even if Pfizer would eventually beat her to the punch. During the course of my research, I found out that Moderna, along with Pfizer, uses the same mRNA (messenger RNA) technology. So in layman’s terms, what it does is to tell your body to create spike proteins that your natural antibodies would recognize. This spike protein mimics the viral antigen in COVID. So it essentially helps your immune system recognize the virus once you get infected so that the same can develop antibodies that can neutralize the spike protein (as to how, you’ll find out as you read along). It’s like fashion gurus knowing what to do when they see a fashion victim. Like a Meryl Streep to a Anne Hathaway in “The Devil Wore Prada” (alternatively, think of Prada as the spike protein, so conspicuous and recognizable, both original and knock off).

HealthNow app showing Moderna 2nd dose vaccination record. Hope to travel soon and see if this is acceptable digital proof of vaccination.

It took months though before I had the vaccine. Here in the Philippines, there is limited supply of vaccines, so there is a hierarchy in terms of priority groups. I fall under the 4th category, that’s why it took a while before I finally got it (thanks to the company I work for who gave me a slot when the first batch of Moderna vaccines arrived in the country). It was under the private sector vaccination program called COVIDShield and you register thru the HealthNow app. Then you get notified of the vaccination date and time (the date and time for your 2nd dose is also set) as well as location. So off I went to have my first jab on the said date. Other than quite disorganized (before going, you register thru the app where you will receive a QR code that can be scanned for your details when you get to the vaccination site, only to end up queuing and waiting because everyone has to go thru registration again), it was uneventful.

What was eventful though was what happened after. A few hours later, I felt numbness then pain on the injection site. Fatigue started to kick in about 12 hours after injection and you would feel feverish, tired, and sluggish for the next 12 hours. In my case, since the side effects manifested at night time, I was able to sleep it thru the night that when I woke up the next day, I realized that I have slept for more than 10 hours (I rarely have that much sleep nowadays). The pain on the injection site lasted for a few more days. Then before the first week since the jab ended, I had another bout with that feverish feeling. I thought it might be my immune system developing more antibodies.

When the time came for my 2nd dose (4 weeks or not less than 28 days between doses for Moderna), I kinda knew already what to expect, so off I went for round two. This time it was easy breezy, where I just presented the COVIDShield vaccination card that was issued during the 1st dose and they printed another card issued by the local government probably to signify that the private sector vaccination records are also captured in the government/public vaccination records. After which I was seated to be injected. There are a few things that you may opt to be particular about while in the midst of being injected during each dose. First is to check the vial for the brand name (I see Moderna label). It would be nice also to see the health practitioner shaking the vial so that the contents become cloudy and white. I also appreciate during my 1st dose that the health practitioner showed me that the syringe contains the correct dosage (0.5 ml) of the vaccine before injecting and that the syringe is empty after. These little details actually help ensure that you get not only the vaccine of choice but also the right amount of the same. There are a lot of documented errors during vaccination, such as the highly publicized local incident where the syringe wasn’t emptied by the health practitioner and those in the US, from vaccine dilution errors (there is no dilution needed for Moderna, unlike Pfizer where each vial still needs to be diluted making it susceptible to errors, where you may end up with either more of the vaccine or less of it) to look-alike product mix-up.

An article I stumbled upon about vaccination errors. With health at risk and limited vaccine supply, we can’t afford not to get it right the first time.

Then the side effects. I actually anticipated the potential side effects that I took some days off from work (I still have a lot of leaves so I might as well use them). I knew it’s gonna be worse than the first one, and true to form, Moderna delivered. Like groundhog day (or deja vu if you like that one better), fatigue sets in after a few hours, then the pain in the injection site. About 12 hours after injection, instead of feeling feverish, I was burning with fever (I can’t even remember the last time I had high fever) and chills that I have to wear a bathrobe over my clothes even after I turned off the aircon (and this is in a tropical country where it is very humid during this time of the year) just to keep me warm. It was like that the whole night and I was only able to sleep in the wee hours of the morning when the fever started to subside. I was still feeling feverish, tired, and sluggish on the second day, not to mention the excruciating pain on the injection area. My mistake was that I took the 2nd jab on my right arm (not left as incorrectly keyed in the app), which makes it painful and difficult to move if you’re right-handed. I only started to feel better on the third day.

What does this experience mean to me? Simple. It means that the 1st dose was effective. From my readings, the 1st dose is crucial given that it’s what they called the “primary” shot (that’s why it is uber important that you got the 1st dose right). It is the dose that gets introduced in your system for the first time. The reason why your body didn’t react as much is because it takes time for the body to develop antibodies that can neutralize the new viral antigen (spike protein). That’s also probably the reason why Moderna is very particular about the intervals between doses (not less than 28 days but not more than 42 days). You need to give your immune system time for antibodies to peak as well as not wait too long for the antibodies to decline. Moderna vaccine can already provide you protection 14 days after the 1st dose, but you would still need the 2nd dose which is what they called the “booster.” This 2nd dose is what completes the vaccination. The reason why your body did react as much is because you already developed antibodies from the 1st dose and your immune system is now active that causes you to experience all these side effects (and this is why the 1st dose was effective), boosting your immunity against the viral antigen. Think of it like Meryl Streep was already effective in repelling Anne Hathaway, but you still need an Emily Blunt to make her feel more like a fashion outcast.

I came across this ad while looking for a post-vaccination test that can determine whether I’m protected or not. This is the test that I took 3 weeks after my 2nd dose.

To prove my point, I took this COVID S-Antibodies (spike protein antibodies) quantitative test when I came across it. There are two types of tests out there, one is quantitative which depending on the technique or method, would detect the amount of antibodies in your system while the other is qualitative, which just detects whether you are positive (reactive) for antibodies or not (non-reactive) and can’t be used to determine the amount of antibodies. Why is this distinction important? My reason for taking the test (aside from proving a point) is to know not only if I have the antibodies (positive or reactive) but whether I have enough protection after being fully vaccinated. In order for me to know that, I need to understand first what is the protection threshold level which I can use as benchmark against the amount of antibodies that I have.

There is this Youtube video of Dr. Been where he talked about antibody levels that are necessary for COVID protection. It is very informative and that became the source of benchmark level that I can use to compare against the quantitative test results. Going into the test, I know that the technique or method that will be used is one that measures antibodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral antigen (I found out after getting my test results that the method used was ECLIA or Electrochemilluminescence Immunoassay by Roche Diagnostics). In layman’s terms, in order for the virus to infect a cell, it needs to bind itself first to the cell, like a parasite (that’s why I always see viruses as parasites). That’s why viruses cannot survive long once they are outside of our bodies (such as when we sneeze or cough) since their host cells will die eventually. Our antibodies do the same by binding to the viral antigen. That binding strength increases over time, or what they call affinity maturation. Which means that high-affinity antibodies will have strong neutralizing capacity against the viral antigen particularly if directed on the RBD to prevent the virus from binding to the healthy cells. This particular test quantifies the amount of such antibodies.

(Top) Dr. Been Youtube video where he talked about protection threshold levels; (below) testing technique/method used (ECLIA) in the quantitative test that I took

Per Dr Been, the protective threshold level for RBD is 100 U/mL. However, such level is based on another quantitative technique called ELISA or Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Though there’s a study which results show that there is no significant quantitative correlation between the two testing techniques, I would like to think that since the two are the most commonly used techniques to detect antibodies, the RBD ELISA protection threshold level of 100 U/mL may still be applicable to ECLIA given that at the end of the day, both tests measure the amount of specific antibodies in the blood, which in this case are the high-affinity antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein RBD..

So how did my immune system fare? Well, not bad. As the title suggests, my COVID antibodies are off the roof! My high-affinity antibodies against the spike protein RBD are more than 2500 U/mL (compared to the RBD protection threshold of 100 U/mL). There’s a comment in my test results that says “Value obtained is above machine detection limit of 2500 U/mL.” I guess my high-affinity antibodies broke the machine. Funny coz aside from the comment, there’s another note that says “Specimen rechecked, results verified.” Maybe the medical technologist, quality control, and pathologist who all signed the results were dumbfounded. Even I was dumbfounded when I read the results and the comments/notes. Coz not only did it prove my point earlier about the effectiveness of the 1st dose and how the 2nd dose boosted the immune response, but I was also not prepared to acknowledge that my immune system is a superstar (the Meryl Streep of immune systems lol). I know that each person’s immunity is different and each person’s immune response to the vaccine varies, but I guess I could proudly say now that I made the right choice. No wonder why that doctor/scientist that helped develop the vaccine was heaping praises on the effectiveness of Moderna. It simply works.

My test results showed that my high-affinity antibody level broke the machine (lol)

Of course, continue to work on your immunity. Keep your immune system in tip top shape. I wrote about how I keep my immunity in check (“My Gut Feel Against The Virus” https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/28/my-gut-feel-against-the-virus/) but take it easy on the probiotics particularly if you suspect you have SIBO (small intestine bacteria overgrowth). I learned it the hard way (which is a topic for another article) but as mentioned in that article, I continue to listen to my body. I suggest you do too.

Make that choice today. Regardless what that is, be safe always.

Smile and Start Living

Health Buzz

Braces off and underbite/crossbite gone!

The title of this article comes from the parting words in one of my articles (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/09/07/life-is-a-beach-second-of-two-parts/) where I talked about making lemonades out of lemons particularly during these trying times. I am using the same words again, not in the context of adversities, but literally how my new smile has brought me a new life. It may not have been noticeable before, but even at a young age I have already noticed that my upper and lower teeth are not properly aligned. When I was younger, people thought that I have wore braces before coz my upper teeth are pretty even. But even then, the upper teeth do not sit well with the lower and that I believe is how it (the deterioration) all started.

Yes dear readers, I have both underbite and crossbite. Underbite is when the lower teeth protrudes compared to the upper teeth, which means that the lower jaw is also more forward than the upper. Crossbite on the other hand, is when some of the upper teeth rest over and under the lower teeth. Both my underbite and crossbite became more pronounced when I got older. I suppose it has started to affect the appearance of my smile but then I wasn’t really conscious and particular with how my smile looks, much more how I look in general.

(Left) From a distance, my smile before seems ok, which appears to have even set of teeth, but if you take a closer look (right), you will notice the underbite/crossbite

It also didn’t help that having sat on different dental chairs with as much number of dental professionals and no one ever mentioned anything wrong with my teeth other than a cavity here and there that requires tooth filling. It was not until I decided to have oral prophylaxis at Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) where the dentist who checked on me noticed that my back teeth were starting to break down and my upper front teeth were in varying states of erosion. The dentist also asked me if I am experiencing occasional migraines (which I had) which can be likely caused as well by the uneven grind and bite. She then broached the idea of having braces.

I was sort of laughing inside my head, coz the thought of wearing braces at my age is just bizarre. Braces are pretty common among teens and young adults, where their young teeth haven’t really settled in and cemented by age unlike the older generation where I belong. But then again, I asked myself why did I choose this dental clinic in the first place. I remember choosing it coz I wasn’t really happy with any of the dental works from the different HMO affiliated dental clinics where I didn’t pay anything every visit. Nobody really told me anything else that’s wrong either with my teeth or my bite. So for the first time, I found a clinic that has identified what needs to be fixed. That I need to have braces.

Before and After Treatment Plan

So I went on with the idea and they referred me to their TMJ consultant after they have taken different x-ray views of my mouth. Temporomandibular joint or TMJ for short is what connects your jawbone to your skull. The reason why a TMJ specialist needs to handle my treatment plan is because there is a need to correct the alignment of the teeth and the jaw to fix the grind and the bite. So it’s not just getting the teeth even, but aligning both upper and lower jaw. Braces alone won’t achieve that, so a sagittal appliance was included in the treatment plan where it is placed on the roof of the mouth to create room in the upper jaw by pushing the teeth outwards hence increasing the width of the upper jaw while pushing the lower teeth in (effectively decreasing the lower jaw width) thru braces. Sounds painful, right?

It was. For the first few days of wearing braces and the sagittal appliance, I was in excruciating pain. It was so painful that the thought of having it all removed and never to put it back on ever again crossed my mind. Never mind the full amount that I have already paid for the whole treatment plan that would last for about 18-24 months (mind you that clinic is not cheap, nor is this article an ex-deal, partnership, or paid advertorial of the clinic since I haven’t monetized this blog yet). But as the common saying goes, no pain, no gain. I simply have to endure the pain to achieve the end results. My mouth eventually started to adjust and got used to these foreign objects (or monsters to me). But prior to that, I have sores all over and was subsisting on soups and soft food for the first two weeks (on the bright side, I lost weight during that period).

Before and After Smile

It was also a good thing that I didn’t delay it any further coz a year of treatment in, I went thru another bout of pain, this time from sciatica (which I wrote about in my article https://columbusbee.blog/2019/11/01/mlnrd-at-st-lukes-medical-center-global-city-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/). My TMJ specialist, after learning that I went thru spinal surgery, mentioned that she has a patient who was suffering from the same condition (where you wake up one day and you can’t walk because of the pain), but after correcting the skull-jaw-neck alignment, the pain went away. I told her that my case may be different, coz the pain was caused by the nerve root compression as a result of the protruded disk on my lower back.

Then pandemic struck, where I probably have only made two visits/adjustments during the whole year of 2020. But even before the start of the lockdown (or after about 17 months of treatment), my teeth and jaw have miraculously aligned in spite of my age. Before starting with the treatment plan, the TMJ specialist told me that there is no guarantee of success (or the desired results may not be achieved) given my age, that they even made me sign a waiver. Though I now understand my body (where I wrote about understanding and listening to your body in my article https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/28/my-gut-feel-against-the-virus/), I’m still surprised at times on how my body works. Like when I underwent root canal treatment also with the same clinic this year. I have a molar tooth (the tooth at the farthest end) that was decaying and that the infection has already spread both in the gums and the jawline where the x-ray shows loss of bone mass and gum tissue due to infection. Two dentists of the clinic (from different branches) have suggested tooth extraction but after learning what I’ll go thru if I decide to have tooth implant to replace the extracted tooth (denture is no longer an option coz being the farthest tooth, there is only one adjacent tooth to support the same), I decided (and insisted) to save the infected tooth instead thru root canal treatment. Again, miraculously, what seems to be a hopeless case has proven naysayers wrong by just having faith on the body’s healing powers (coupled with mental affirmation that the tooth will be saved). After several bi-weekly visits in a span of 3 months (with the same number of COVID swab test for every visit), the tooth was saved where the infection on the gum tissue started to disappear, the bone mass on the jawline started to regenerate, and what used to be wobbly is now a tooth firmly rooted. My body works in mysterious ways.

(Left) Around the tip of the root of the tooth is a hollow dark spot which is a manifestation of gum tissue infection and loss of bone mass on the jawline. (Right) Three months after the start of the root canal treatment, you see a significant improvement where the dark spot is no longer there which means that the infection is gone and gum tissue and bone mass start to regenerate.

So after about 18 months worth of treatment (excluding the uneventful year 2020), the braces were removed. I thought I have a brand new smile. A few months going into the homestretch, I also noticed some changes in my appearance, not only on how my smile looked. Before the treatment, my upper jaw was concaving and my lower jaw protruding that gave my face a bulldog appearance. Because my upper jaw is concaving, a portion of my upper lip seems to be submerged or buried. After the treatment, I have noticed that my cheekbones have become more prominent (probably due to the upper portion of the skull, jaw, and teeth now resting nicely on the lower jaw and teeth) and my upper lip is fuller, aside from my teeth that are now even and bite aligned.

Me at work (post treatment). Even without a smile, the confidence in me shines through with prominent cheekbones, fuller upper lip, and more defined jawline. What used to be chubby cheeks is now a narrower face (the cuteness factor is gone though lol).

The timing can’t be more perfect as well. Since we have to rely now on video calls for work meetings, I am now more confident with how I look on video (I would scrimp on my smile before in most of my travel pics, much more appear on video). Believe me, that added boost in confidence can do wonders in both presenting during a meeting and selling an idea to peers, colleagues, and superiors across the globe. Not that I’m aiming for a promotion, but it made things easier at work without having to worry about how I look in those video calls. That confidence (plus coming prepared at all times) makes one shine in these calls.

Before (December 2017) and After (June 2021). Which pic do I look younger?

This is why I said earlier that my smile has given me a new life. I started living again that day when they took my braces off and smiled my way thru life.

(Note: Thank you to my TMJ specialist Dr. Eillen Manalang and to my dentists Dr. Pia Alaba and Dr. Vengie Bangloy)

America: Celebrating Life, Embracing Diversity

Travel & Positivity Buzz

Happy 2nd year anniversary, columbusbee! We are now being read in 6 continents and 53 countries and territories (and still counting). Much love to all of you.

Almost two years in and this blog has not only received hundreds of views but has expanded its geographical footprint. Yes dear readers, we are celebrating our 2nd year anniversary and we are now being read in six continents and 53 countries and territories as of this writing. I’m truly humbled by the support and continued interests in the articles that I have written (encompassing the different themes of the blog) and more importantly on the sharing of information that hopefully had made a difference in someone’s life, no matter how little that may be. My heart is full knowing that I have given a piece of my life that is worth sharing within my small circle of influence. I don’t see myself as a social influencer (though someone who claims to handle influencer relations of a company had already reached out to me but I’m not yet ready to monetize this blog) but more of a life coach who shares experiences and lessons learnt which can prove handy for some people.

Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco). Am I smizing (smile with your eyes) in here or what? Lol

One of the struggles of a blogger is how to keep churning out content that will sustain and keep readers interest and attention. I know that I have a specific target audience (not everyone will resonate with what I’m writing) and it’s also a balancing act on my part to be bold in my thoughts at times yet temper my views. That’s why you’ll see in my body of work so far a mix of themes that sometimes go off path (like some political and religious themed articles). Maybe my life is a mix of themes too, and that’s where I can pull some content not just to have something to write about but to simply highlight experiences that are worth sharing. This is how I can continue to keep the blog going, especially now that writing is no longer a hobby (it started as one 2 years ago), but a commitment to the readers across the globe.

One of San Francisco’s hidden gems (San Francisco Botanical Garden)

Speaking of mixed themes, I am featuring the states (that’s how US is called in some parts of the world) for this 2nd anniversary special. Some of you may not agree with this choice, but I have pondered long enough to know that you’ll probably understand by the end of the article why I chose to feature this country. America is a complex country (and a country of mixed themes) and I have no plans of dissecting it. What I can offer is to share my thoughts on the country based on my travels as well as my connection and affinity to the same.

DNA genetic testing (23andMe) results. From this day on, I shall also be known by my Native American name “Calian” (means Warrior of Life, Honor, and Eternal Hope).

My connection or affinity to the country is not due to the fact that based on my family DNA genetic testing (23andMe), I’m 0.5% Native American (can I now lay claim to some ancestral lands in America? lol). I’m a true blue Filipino, but we all know that the Philippines was once occupied by the Americans in the 1940s, so probably that’s where I got my American Indian genes. It may also be probably thru my European connection, where I’m 0.4% European. This blog was named after a European, Christopher Columbus, touted to be the first man to circumnavigate the world and discovered America. Since the Philippines was colonized by Europeans up until the American occupation, that’s also one likely reason how the Native American genes have crossed seas. Talk about diversity.

My sis and I enjoying SanFro as guests of groom & groom on our first LGBT wedding (shortly after California legalized same sex marriage). Her hubby is our official photographer lol.

But that’s not the diversity (as the title suggests) that I’m exploring in this article. My first trip to the US was to attend what supposed to be my first LGBT wedding. A member of family in-laws (who is based in the US) is getting married to his fiancee in San Francisco so my family got invited to the wedding. It was shortly after California has legalized same-sex marriage and getting invited to one for me is quite historic so I didn’t let it passed and started planning for the trip (I was always looking for a reason to go to the states anyway, coz I was fascinated more with Europe with its rich history, culture, and artifacts that I haven’t been to the US much earlier). I was supposed to join my sister and her husband (who flew out ahead of me coz I still have work to wrap up before flying to the US), but because my flight was delayed for more than 6 hours, I missed the shuttle that would have taken me and the other guests from the hotel in the city to Napa Valley where the wedding and reception were to take place. Long story short, I missed the wedding, but was still able to join the post wedding lunch at Le Meridien in the city the following day.

Ferry Building Marketplace (San Francisco)

From the time I flew in, I already felt how San Francisco has embraced diversity. Not just due to the landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage, but the openness that you feel right after touch down. One of my earlier fears was that I may get discriminated at the port of entry, particularly coming from a 3rd world country. Though the Philippines and the US has a long history of friendship and cooperation, it’s a fact of life that any friendship for that matter has no bearing at border control. Friends or not, you’ll still have to go thru the process, and to some that may be a daunting prospect, given how strict the controls are, particularly post 9/11. In my case, I even felt that the immigration guy was flirting with me (well, nothing wrong with that, I’m kinda used to that when I travel) notwithstanding the fact that it was my first visit.

View of San Francisco from Alcatraz Island; with one of my fave pieces at MOMA

The openness does not end at the airport, you could feel it around the city. It feels like people are color blind. They only see you as you are. It’s also nice to bump into fellow Filipinos on occasions. Like in one instance, while exploring the city, I decided to get some ice cream. So I checked out this ice cream parlor near the wharf. It was manned by Filipinos (I reckon it was also owned by a Filipino family), so it was a welcome respite to get acquainted with your kababayans (countrymen) abroad. We talked in Tagalog and nobody there seems to be bothered by that. One of the crew, after learning that I’m also Filipino, asked if I worked there or just visiting, and I told him that I was just visiting. He thought I may be very rich back home to afford to travel. Well, can’t really blame him to think that way, coz a lot of Filipinos abroad are there for greener pastures so that they can send money back home to support their families. A noble and selfless act that hardworking Filipinos are known for (and I’m not just talking about Filipino nurses, caregivers, and other health and senior care frontliners anywhere in the world). In my case, I already wrote an article to deconstruct the myth that travel is only for the rich (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/05/20/deconstructing-a-myth-travel-is-only-for-the-rich/).

Fisherman’s Wharf (San Francisco) and Sausalito Marina (Marin City)

Of course I did the touristy stuff while there. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the historic Alcatraz, from the basic Chinatown to the artistic MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). It’s nice to go on foot around the city, but can be very tiring as well due to its hilly terrain. You may take the old tram though that is still functional up to this day to get you thru the hilly parts. For dining, San Francisco is known for clam chowder. My sister is a sucker for it that she can have it every single meal. But one thing we both loved were the king crabs at Crab House at Pier 39. We grew up in a place in the Philippines that has some of the best seafoods (particularly shellfish) in the country and our Dad knows how to whip up a good seafood meal. So it’s quite a treat for us to be in any place (in the Philippines or abroad) that serves fresh seafood. It’s no surprise then that I went there on multiple occasions (she and her husband had to fly back home earlier due to prior commitments) while still enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.

King crabs! (Crab House, Pier 39); chilling after with full tummies lol (sis’ hubby also with full tummy taking our pics)

There are two things that left lasting impression on me while in San Francisco (aside of course from the openness). One is a place called Sausalito. Geographically, it’s no longer part of San Francisco, since it is a quaint little town in Marin City. It’s on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, that’s why it feels like it’s still part of San Francisco. The place looks like Bath in the UK or Devonport in New Zealand, has that resort town vibe that is both captivating and refreshing. It’s quiet and has a picturesque marina, yet an old European town feel to it. Among all the places I’ve been to in San Francisco, this beautiful town is the one I liked the best. The second one are the Victorian houses that you can find everywhere in the city. If Sausalito has an old European town charm, these Victorian houses are proof of European influence in the city. The most popular among these Victorian houses are The Painted Ladies. These houses symbolized opulence during the gold rush era, so it’s an integral part of San Francisco’s history. If I left my heart in San Francisco, it was because of Sausalito and these Victorian houses.

The Painted Ladies (San Francisco)

If there is one city that is more diverse than any other place in the world (at least based on my travels), it would be one of my favorite cities in the world: New York. Known as the melting pot of America, you can see people from around the world at any given time, just blending and meshing well, feeding on each other’s similarities and differences. It seems that this city has become so permeable to culture and diversity, creating a utopian environment that is conducive to understanding and inclusivity. Proof of that inclusivity and tolerance is that in less than a year after California legalized same-sex marriage, New York followed suit (the couple who got married earlier in San Francisco also got married in New York where they were based). It is also the place where people from all over the world came together to sympathize with America after the 9/11 tragedy. I visited the site where it happened, where in spite of the sight of a hollow and empty lot, you know and you’d feel the loss that took place in that blank space awaiting to be filled up by a new structure that is planned to be built as a symbol of hope, unity, and peace.

Statue of Liberty (Staten Island) and 9/11 Ground Zero (Lower Manhattan)

I tried to explore the city as much as I can in that short trip (how I wished I could have stayed longer). One of the things that I enjoyed was watching shows at Broadway. My hotel was just a few blocks away from both Times Square (where I would buy the discounted tickets at TKTS booth right smack in the middle of the square) and Broadway so it was quite easy to go on foot to catch a show. Two of my favorite shows were Jersey Boys and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (both adapted into movies). The latter may be too gay for most people, but it was so hilarious. It was a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed it a lot (left a smile on my face when I went back to my hotel), like watching a very funny drag show. Jersey Boys, on the other hand, was just simply a delight. It left me mesmerized and with LSS (last song syndrome). Lion King was on as well, but I decided to skip it as the tickets were still full price (yeah, I’m cheap lol) and just opted to catch it in Vegas where the tickets are cheaper.

Melting pot of America (Times Square, New York)

In a city of culture, you wouldn’t miss going to the museums. I did a few, and of course the must-do would be The Met (Metropolitan Museum). This is the venue of the annual Met Gala, the mecca of fashion where the themes are as vast and as out-of-this-world as the museum collection. It was so vast that you cannot finished covering every nook and cranny in just one day. More than its popularity courtesy of Anna Wintour and all the fashionable people, the museum actually is one of the more beautiful museums I’ve been to (and I’ve been to a lot especially in Europe). Reminds me of the Louvre in Paris.

At The Met (Metropolitan Museum, Manhattan)

Diversity in this city has also transcended into food and dining. There are just a lot to choose from where every block would have something different to offer. I didn’t really do a lot of fancy dining, but what I did was do what New Yorkers would do, common yet iconic fares. You have Gray’s Papaya hotdog, a well respected establishment that will turn 50 in 2 years. This is where you can get $1 hotdog, not to mention that most of the crew are Filipinos. There were two other food outlets that friends in Manila (who have been to NYC before) were raving about. One is BonChon (that was long before the Manila franchise was acquired). Not really sure what the hype was all about, but it was just ok for me when I had my first taste in their 5th Avenue branch. Probably because it’s a relatively new concept, a Korean restaurant that elevated fried chicken with Asian-American fusion. The other one is Shake Shack (also long before the Manila franchise), and my friends were right: the best burger I had up until my Queenstown (New Zealand) trip, where Fergburger was equally good and touted as the best burger in the world. I suppose New Yorkers will challenge that. What’s more American than burger and fries (the best fries I’ve ever had was in a Wolfgang Puck restaurant in Vegas).

Manhattan skyline from the viewing deck of Empire State Building

Then again, what’s more American than the Sin City itself, Las Vegas (or Vegas for short). I stayed there for just a few days yet the sights and sounds were just overwhelming. It’s like if you’re going to put the whole of America in a gift box, it would look like Vegas. Having fun in this place would be an understatement. If San Francisco has subtle and subdued openness while New York is upfront and in-your-face (like when I was approached while walking the streets of NYC to be asked if I’m single and willing to be matched for a date), Vegas is free-for-all. Truth be told, there’s actually some basis in the saying “whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” It’s the Sin City after all, that caters to anyone’s carnal desires.

Vegas day and night (with volcanic eruption to boot)

That’s probably because Vegas epitomizes celebration of life. This no-holds-barred, laissez-faire, throw caution to the wind approach to life is what Vegas is known for, a feeling of being totally free even for just a short period of time. To be able to do what your heart desires even against social norms is an escape that most people would seek for, especially for those coming from highly restricted and conservative societies. In a way, it’s what the American way of life stands for, which is currently threatened by growing racism and hate.

Whatever your heart desires: Statue of Liberty made of candies; training the dolphins; 4th member of Blue Man Group? (Las Vegas, Nevada)

I recently lost a cousin in the states to COVID. He would have turned 60 last April and he and his wife (who is dear to me) had plans to see Europe for the first time when they both retire. It’s a dream that they both shared with me the last time they visited Manila, and it’s a dream that won’t be fulfilled due to his passing. Both were close to my family, where they even flew in all the way from the states a few years earlier to give their sympathies and to comfort us when my family lost a loved one. But rather than grieve for my cousin, I would celebrate his life. A life that lived the American dream, having put all his children to school and provided for his family. He almost filed for bankruptcy years ago, but continued to struggle and face the adversity head on. He triumphed and left this world knowing he had lived a full life with no regrets.

This is what I live and celebrate life for, to be up close with creatures that I love (The Mirage, Las Vegas)

My cousin is just one of many Asian-Americans living parallel lives. My family in-law is just one of many members of LGBT community living parallel dreams. Both are considered minorities, yet they are no different than any other Americans living normal lives, going thru the same everyday joys and struggles. Coz as the saying goes, life happened. But it shouldn’t be laced with racism and hate, particularly emanating from ignorance. Nobody deserves that, especially minorities who just want to live in a safe and caring environment. I’ve never felt racism and hate when I was in the states, but that was a different time then. Thing is, we should be evolving as a humanity, rather than deteriorating as a society.

Recap: “Wisdom and Knowledge Shall Be The Stability Of Thy TImes” (Rockefeller Center, Manhattan). Choose learning and understanding over ignorance.

The world came together for America during 9/11, #metoo, and #BlackLivesMatter, among other social and moral revolutions. There are still parts in the world that love (and continue to aspire for) the American way of life, where diversity is embraced and life celebrated. A lot of democracies have modeled their ideals with that of America. What’s happening with America nowadays then feels like unreciprocated love. But I do believe that majority of Americans still care, that there’s hope that together, we can still turn this around. Coz I’d like to visit the states again and not be discouraged by fear of hate crimes against Asians.

For those who choose to remain ignorant though (and it is still a choice which I respect), maybe give a little love instead and give a little of that hate up.

Happy 2nd year anniversary, dear readers! Let’s all continue to celebrate life and help #StopTheHate.

Stop the hate, celebrate life, carpe diem!

New Zealand: Nature and Adventure At Its Best

Travel Buzz

A little birdie along the pristine shores of Lake Wakatipu (New Zealand)

It’s been a while since my last article (sorry about that dear readers). The reason is honest and simple: I’ve been Netflix binging (isn’t everyone else?) especially these past months where I can’t go to the movies (which is one of my favorite things to do until COVID happened). If you’re wondering what shows have been on my playlist lately, I can say that I have an eclectic taste in series/mini-series and film genre. My interests range from loosely referenced royal true-story like The Crown (started watching the series while recuperating from my spinal surgery late 2019 and finished the latest season a coup]e of months ago) and The Last Czars (can’t imagine how I finished all seasons of this sad and tragic series), period shows like Bridgerton, an inclusive game-changing series that transcends racial lines in depicting royal characters in its first season alone (very timely after the tell-all Oprah interview of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex where racism has been one of the most talked about takeaways from that interview along with mental health), and novelty/vanity shows like Emily in Paris where fashionistas will be delighted with how the show’s costume design and stylist have put together a parade of chic, eye-candy clothes for the main character (like stepping into a fashion show) as well as my way of indulging in and reminiscing one of my favorite cities in the world. Another new series is Lupin, a smart and intelligent French heist show that, like Bridgerton and Emily in Paris, I can’t wait for the next season. There’s Homeland, a very engaging, edge-of-your-seat spy thriller like a good book that you can’t put down (I finished all 8 seasons). With the same Homeland show-runner, The Blacklist is currently the series I’m hooked on (I’m on the 4th season already, where in the previous season, Reddington mentioned the name of Filipino concert icon Pops Fernandez). Then there’s Vikings, a show that is probably loosely based on historical facts (the show was originally screened on History channel), where it started slow (it almost lost my attention on the first few episodes) until it got interesting (I think the turning point was when Athelstan, my favorite character along with Ivan the Boneless, was held as a slave of Ragnar).

(Left) Catamaran boat for the Whale and Dolphin Safari; (right) our guide prepping us for the sea adventure

Since Vikings is a show about, wait for it, the exploits of notorious vikings (of course), the location shoot was splendid. A lot of the sceneries in the show remind me of places in New Zealand (though no scene in the show was shot in New Zealand). I’ve been to New Zealand twice in 3 years (that was I reckon the validity period of my tourist visa). For the first visit, I did Auckland, Rotorua (and the vicinities), and Queenstown. For the second visit, I did Auckland (again), Devonport, Waiheke Island, and Wellington. The first one was more than a decade after the last of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was shot and a few years after The Hobbit was shown. We all know by now that these movies were mostly shot in New Zealand, which made the country not just known for its sheeps (did you know that there are more sheeps than locals, where there are about 6 sheeps for every person) and dairy, but also the spectacular natural sceneries featured in these movies.

A mother dolphin and her young amidst a pod of other dolphins swimming ahead of the catamaran

New Zealand is also popular for adventure activities. So first on my itinerary when I got to Auckland was to go Whale & Dolphin Safari. This activity involves going out to the sea for hours on a catamaran boat. Think of it like a cruise, but with a purpose: to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. I got so excited like a kid (I love whales and dolphins and it was supposed to be my first to see them up close) that I didn’t mind the occasional bumpy ride and getting wet from the saltwater splash on the open deck. A couple of hours out, we started to see dolphins swimming along and ahead of the boat, like leading us to somewhere. It seems that they are already used to these visits that they are so at ease with the visitors, like welcoming us in their home. Though I didn’t see any whales (it’s seasonal apparently, so I didn’t get to see my Orca), it was worth the ticket I paid considering that the money will go partly to the conservation and research fund. It was for this charity that made me wrote my first review on Tripadvisor (I later asked to take down my account after the Mykonos incident where it was evident that the said platform is enabling scamming establishments and I can’t be part or support any travel site that is complicit in any form of deceit and deception). My review though can still be seen in there, where I wrote: “The highlight of my Auckland trip was when I saw a baby dolphin trying to show off by flipping its tiny body amidst the frenzy in a pod of adult dolphins leading our boat. It was so cute. I would have rated this experience ‘excellent’ if I’ve only seen a glimpse of any whale (probably not a whale season during this time). Crew was great too plus your way of helping out a good cause while having fun.”

Different scenes in Hobbiton (including inside the pub where the hobbits meet for drinks)

Next adventure was going to Hobbiton. Don’t laugh, dear readers (coz I’m not dreaming this), Hobbiton actually exists. I remember in one of the episodes of The Graham Norton Show (on Youtube) where Norton mocked guest Elijah Wood statement that he wants to go back to Hobbiton. Realizing his on-air cringe-worthy blunder, Norton even joked that if ever he’ll be visiting New Zealand, he’ll be held at passport control as persona non grata for making fun of Hobbiton. Yes dear readers, Hobbiton is the same place where The Shire of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit was shot. It has become a popular tourist destination after the movies were shown that New Zealand Ministry of Tourism decided to preserve the set location and name the place Hobbiton.

(Left) Visiting one of the hobbit homes; (right) zooming in on the new face of Hobbiton (lol)

The set occupies a vast track of land (if you could recall, director Peter Jackson travelled the world to look for that perfect place for the location shoot and found it in New Zealand) that after the filming has wrapped up, everything on the set, from those hobbit houses to the pub where the hobbits meet for drinks were kept and maintained. It’s like a small town (no pun intended) where just being there felt like you’ve already been part of these iconic movies. Being a movie fan myself, I can’t help but reminisced those scenes of Gandalf, Frodo & Bilbo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and the rest of the party loving hobbits in the same place where I’m on “party business.”

Bubbling mud pool and shooting geyser (from afar and up close)

Not far from Hobbiton is Rotorua, popular for its bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers, and a museum showcasing the Maori culture. So this leg of the trip was more like nature and culture adventure. What happened next though was more than just nature and culture. It became an adventure on humanity as well. While on this trip, I met an older man on electric wheelchair with his daughter, both of whom, if my memory serves me well, travelled all the way from Argentina just to see the natural beauty of this country. What struck me really was that not only was the senior grew fond of me (maybe because I occasionally kept him company while his daughter was taking photos or picking up food, drinks, or souvenir items), but the close father-daughter relationship that they have. I reckon that the daughter shared that it was her Dad’s wish to be there, that she obliged to take him there fully aware of the difficulties of mobility given his condition. It reminds me of my Dad, who suffered a mild stroke and has mobility concerns as well (he can still walk though) and yet has that same vigor to travel and overcome whatever difficulties while we were on our European tour (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/02/23/italy-how-thou-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-part-1-of-2/). On the way back to Auckland, we made a short stop by a lake, where the senior took a photo of me by the lake, and said “I now have a photo of my new friend from the Philippines.” That was 5 years ago, and here’s hoping that the father-daughter tandem travelled on with the adventure of their lives, wherever that may have taken them, with filial bond that only gets stronger each passing day.

(Left) Able bodied men from the audience participating in a Maori ritual dance; (right) Maori cultural presenters

Next stop was Queenstown. This hub for nature and adventure is a few hours by plane from Auckland (Auckland is up north, Queenstown is down south). I say it’s the hub coz it is the jumping-off point to various high octane adrenalin rush adventure options, not to mention the numerous lakes, rivers, mountains, fjords, rainforest, and waterfalls in the area. Right next to my hotel (Novotel Queenstown Lakeside) is Lake Wakatipu, with crystal clear waters amidst the backdrop of mountain range (it was summer then so just imagine how beautiful and magical the scenery is at winter when the mountains are snow capped) that kept me spellbound during my whole stay where I told myself that if ever I get married someday, I want the wedding to be here (the only other alternative is on one of the beaches of Budva). Lately, I’m thinking this is where I want my ashes spread when the day comes.

This is where I wanna get married or my ashes spread, whichever comes first. Imagine that mountain capped in snow (Lake Wakatipu)

I’m not someone who is an adrenalin junkie, but I can be adventurous without really taking on high risk activities. I know my physical flaws, so I know how far I can go and my adrenalin limits. So I opted doing the heart-racing jet boat extreme ride and the more risky river rafting. The former is riding a jet boat that races across Lake Wakatipu, maneuvers some sharp turns on the Kawarau River, and speeds thru the waters of Shotover River. The jet boat then makes a few 360-degree spins on high speed (splashing river water all over), like a roller coaster ride on water.

Some of the pit stops of the river rafting. Someone’s showing off to break the ice (not me!)

The latter, on the other hand, started as a funyak (fun kayak), but became river rafting when we started shooting rapids in some rough parts of the river. On quiet waters we passed by mountain ranges featured in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We made a pit stop in some forested area by the river to have lunch, where the notorious sandflies abound. These bloodsucking creatures leave nasty bite that causes not only inflamed bite area but also unbearable itch (and I’m not talking about mosquito bite itch that goes away quickly, this one doesn’t go away for days and the constant scratching will only worsen the affected area). We were already forewarned though, so insect repellant lotion kept exposed areas of our faces and hands free from these nasty bites (the rest of our bodies were covered up anyway). So for all thrill seekers out there who wants to have some adrenalin fun but with less risk, these are good options for you. Bungee jumping crossed my mind (it’s been on my bucket list since my brother told me a while back that he did it already), but the thought of that pulling my backbone and hurting my back (that was before my spinal surgery) made me rethink that option and decided not to go thru with it.

Stunning sceneries on the way to Fiordland (it feels like being transported to Jurassic Park)

Next adventure is what I was in Queenstown for: to see Milford Sound, one of the more popular fjords around the world. I’m a nature lover (but not the outdoorsy, camper type) and what better way to commune with nature than thru this excursion. The road trip to Fiordland (the jumping-off point for the cruise) is already an adventure by itself, where you drive thru forested areas, passing by waterfalls as well as making some brief stops on riversides and lakeshores. This ride gives one a better appreciation of how blessed this country is, and also why it’s always green all over, from open grasslands to forested areas: it always rains in this part of the globe. Given that there is still a thick forest cover across the country, the rainwater flows thru and ends up where it should be, preserving the water cycle and keeping the vegetation nourished. No wonder then that New Zealand has a flourishing wide variety of plants that are used for botanicals and herbal/alternative medicines and health supplements (as mentioned in my earlier article https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/28/my-gut-feel-against-the-virus/, this is where I got my first taste of medicine grade Manuka honey as well as honey based shampoo that I mentioned in my other article https://columbusbee.blog/2019/11/01/mlnrd-at-st-lukes-medical-center-global-city-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/).

At the dock waiting for my ride to cruise thru Milford Sound

Those landscapes and seascapes in the Viking show are what remind me of the sceneries while cruising thru the fjord. I’ve never seen so many waterfalls in my life, where every part of the high cliffs always has freshwater flowing on its side. It looks like a long wall with water leaking from every block. There are parts where the waterfalls are bigger, stronger, and heavier. The harmony of these landscapes and seascapes with the trimmings of the lush vegetation and serenity that is only disturbed by the noise from the endemic wildlife and splashing waters from the falls make this one of the most exhilarating experiences for any nature lover.

Sights of the Sound: wading thru the fjord; waterfalls and more waterfalls; seals on their natural habitat.

A trip to New Zealand won’t be complete without the food and drinks adventure. Aside from being the adventure capital of the country, Queenstown is known to have the best burger in the country (or arguably in the world). It’s served by burger joint Fergburger, or what the Kiwis simply call as Ferg’s. There’s always a long queue every single day I was there, where anyone who wants a taste of the best burger but doesn’t want to wait too long need to observe what time of the day the queue is at its shortest. That’s what exactly I did, where I was able to place my order after some 20-30 minutes wait in line. So you’re probably wondering how was it? It was definitely one of the best burgers I had, but I’m on the fence between Ferg’s and Shake Shack as the best burger in the world (so that’s Queenstown vs New York for you burger fans).

Lost in the vineyards (well not really, just trying to get to my first meal of the day)

Back north, Waiheke Island has some of the best vineyards and restos in the country. While on the island, I was craving for Spanish so I decided to look for the best Spanish resto. There weren’t many, but apparently the best one is Casita Miro, not just renowned for good food, but also for its location in the middle of vineyards (I reckon it used to be the house of a vineyard owner that was converted into a resto). So I took the hop-on-hop-off bus and got off on a stop at a vineyard that I thought was the closest to the walking path to the resto. God, I was so wrong. What I thought was a 10 minute walk turned into an hour of wandering under the blistering heat of the sun. Nevertheless, it gave me the chance to wander thru vineyard after vineyard, got up close to the vines and the grapes and a good exercise before a meal. When I got to the resto, guests (who probably came in private cars) were staring at me, probably because I was soaking wet in perspiration. Awkward as it may look, I held my composure while asking the receptionist if my reservation was still on, given that I was a few minutes late. Fortunately I still have my table, and right away asked for the menu and water (I was famished and thirsty). I didn’t do the wine tasting anymore, coz I was already dizzy from being under the sun for too long. It’s was nothing short of an adventure.

Casita Miro. You know it’s real Spanish when the bar and the deck are Gaudi’sh (Waiheke Island)

Though I have travelled much and to a lot of places around the globe, New Zealand rekindled my sense of adventurism. Maybe that’s what the name New Zealand is about, a new zeal in life. What made this country different from the other places I’ve been to is that this is as natural as it can get. If we are to talk about a green world, this could probably be the poster boy for a greener earth. What better way to bring more interests to this place and awaken our earth-y responsibilities than offering a variety of adventure options, from exciting water adventures to the fascinating nature excursions to thrilling river escapades to gastronomic food and drinks explorations. Communing with nature has never been this better.

Dining with view of the vineyards (Casita Miro)

If I have to sum up my experience (in both times I have been to the country), it would be like the date I had with one of New Zealand’s top TV celebrity chefs when I was there: it was good while it lasted.

Dogs and Mental Health: Meet Cotton (Maltese) and Candy (Phantom Toy Poodle)

Health Buzz

Cotton (maltese) and Candy (phantom toy poodle) sleeping in the same position. Isn’t that adorable?

The year 2020 has been one of the most constrained where we have experienced (and continue to experience) how the COVID pandemic has seized our everyday lives. I have written a few articles on COVID (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/28/my-gut-feel-against-the-virus/ and https://columbusbee.blog/2020/04/22/the-day-the-world-stood-still/) as well as how it impacted our lives (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/07/25/life-is-a-beach-first-of-two-parts/ and https://columbusbee.blog/2020/09/07/life-is-a-beach-second-of-two-parts/) but I haven’t really touched on how the same has affected our mental health. There is no denying that the restricted freedom, fear of contracting the disease, anxiety of what the future holds, paranoia that every single person you meet outside may be a potential carrier, and depressing news splash on our faces every waking hour (I dread reading the papers nowadays, anticipating what new inequities and abuses are committed during these trying times) are just some of the stuff that messes up our heads. Not to mention those who worry where to get their next meal, when they can find work again or get their business up and running, and how they can get basic services such as medical attention given the roundabouts that they have to go thru to meet these necessities only add up to the mental toll. Depression is real, each and every one of us is vulnerable.

Cotton and I meeting a friend at Starbucks

We use only about 10% of our brains and depression and anxiety occupying so much space do not make a healthy, balanced mind. It’s madness, right? How much more if one is already suffering from a fragile head? We may have our own coping mechanism, but what about those who do not know how to cope at all? Shrinks are expensive, and the concept of going to the shrink in a third world country is non-existent, the mere idea can be met with contempt. I remember that when Miriam’s (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/09/21/remembering-miriam-defensor-santiago/) meeting with a shrink in the US was dug up and used by her political opponents against her during the 1992 Philippine presidential election by unfairly branding her as “Brenda” (brain damaged) that partly costs her the presidency, such ignorance would be offensive by today’s standards (but gives me comfort and hope that a quarter of a century later, this somewhat parochial and bigoted third world civilization has evolved and started to embrace the worldly view that taking care of one’s mental health is nothing different than looking after one’s physical health, that it is ok not to be ok). Shaming people for seeking help should never be tolerated, much more use against them for shameless gains.

Candy and I waiting for our turn at the vet clinic. Isn’t she pretty?

My global manager once asked me how I was coping with the lockdown, knowing fully well that I love to travel. I told him that all my flights, both local and international, have been cancelled. As I’ve mentioned in one of my articles (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/02/23/italy-how-thou-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-part-1-of-2/), my feng shui for 2020 forecasted that my spirit essence is weak (which actually was true, where there were points in time last year where I doubted myself and my capabilities) and lots of travels were encouraged to lift up my spirits. I was due for a European tour last May, partly to do some soul searching and enriching by returning to Assisi on a supposed brief spiritual retreat. That didn’t happen, same with some local travels that were also booked. I then realized that I didn’t really answer his question, where all I can muster was to say “same old, same old.” This is now my opportunity to share how I am coping with the pandemic (hope he reads this) and how I’m taking care of my mental health.

Cotton and Candy when they were still a few weeks old

I just got my Fortune and Feng Shui book for 2021 and it says that both my life force and spirit essence would be very weak. From a mental health perspective, that does not sound very good. But same as last year, I cope with by writing thru this blog. It helps me unload my thoughts, views, and perspective, which I personally believe frees up space in my brain in the same manner as how we unburden ourselves emotionally thru sharing our problems with family and friends. Not only that it helps make space for something positive, but also the psychological effect when good comments flow in, such as the one below that was posted in the blog today. Telling someone that he has a gift is a gift itself, like a ray of light in an otherwise dark and gloomy skies. Imagine how that appreciation affects me mentally.

I learned from an early age that having dogs bring a different kind of happiness. Happiness is a state of mind, and what more gives us happiness than unconditional love. Dogs do that. They give us unconditional love and so much joy (particularly during puppy stage) that they won’t be called man’s best friend for nothing. That’s why it pains us when they passed on, which in my case, took me about a couple of years before I got my furbabies in 2020 since the last one, and more than a decade past before I got the last one. Knowing that the prospect of travel in 2020 is bleak, I decided to get myself a loyal companion to lift up my spirits and went for a maltese. His name is Cotton.

Cotton in his pen, yawning. Isn’t he a handsome pup?

Having been a quarantine furbaby, Cotton hasn’t developed a sociable personality. Though he considers my apartment as his kingdom where he reigns supreme, outside, he’s very shy, nervous, and timid. When I brought him to my sister’s place to play with his cousins (my sis has a maltese and a mini poodle), he just stayed in one corner, head down, and unmoving, even when his cousins were trying to play with him. When I first brought him to the groomers, the attendant told me that he just lied flat on his tummy while being bathed, like in a submissive position, afraid to stand up. When I brought him to meet a friend, he just lied on the floor the whole time that me and my friend were having our Starbucks drinks. I’m afraid he’s going to be a social pariah.

Cousins Finn (maltese) and Teddy (mini poodle)

Then I realized that Cotton may be supporting my mental health but I’m not doing anything for his. That’s when I decided to get his companion and went for a toy poodle. Her name is Candy. On the way home when I got her, she connected right away. She was sweet and licked my arm while lying on my lap. Unlike Cotton though, the first few days at home were hard and difficult for me coz she has been excreting liquid poop (yes, as in watery discharge) that I have to clean up the mess first thing when I wake up in the morning and when I get back from work in the evening. Cleaning up does not only mean wiping the floor and disinfecting, but also washing the paws. Worried that she has been suffering from diarrhea for days since I got her (I initially thought that she was just stressed out from her new environment as well as it might be due to a change in dog food), I decided to bring her to the vet to have her checked and tested and that’s when I learned that she contracted coronavirus.

Twin test results of Candy. Top bar is for parvovirus (single line means negative) and bottom bar is for coronavirus (double means positive).

You might think, “Oh no, COVID!,” and that I may also have contracted it too. Nope, it’s not COVID, and no, I don’t have it. Coronavirus in dogs (canine coronavirus is the more appropriate name) is different than what we humans have. Whilst the virus looks similar (with spikes that look like those in a crown, hence the term corona), the strain only infects dogs where the digestive system becomes compromised (unlike in humans where it’s the respiratory system that gets affected). It’s not contagious to humans but can get passed on to other dogs (which I suspect she got when she was staying with the seller awaiting delivery where there were other puppies as well from different breeders for rehoming). Good thing Cotton did not contract it, given that both have shared a pen for a few days. During that first visit to the clinic, the vet said that the virus is self-limiting, meaning that it will just clear on its own in a few days or weeks since just like any viral infection, there is no cure (only prevention thru vaccines). So she prescribed some dog food made specially for digestive care as well as probiotics (yes, dogs need probiotics too). But her condition worsened, where not only her diarrhea has not stopped, but also vomited her food, became lethargic, and lost her appetite (she has a huge appetite earlier, even when she already has the virus). So I decided to confine her in the animal hospital where fluids and minerals can be administered thru IV (intravenous) to keep her constantly hydrated, with occasional forced feeding (as she refused to eat) to get some food to her stomach, and to manage the symptoms thru antibiotics (antibiotics do not kill viruses, it only manages the symptoms such as diarrhea).

(Left) First few days of Candy on hospital confinement; (right) last few days in the hospital where she has regained some of her strength and good spirits

Ten days of confinement later, she was discharged and I brought her home. Poor Candy, she spent her 10th-11th week (since birth) being sick and 11th-12th week on hospital confinement. I was just glad and relieved not only that she tested negative for parvovirus (that’s the most deadly infection among dogs, my last one a couple years back died of parvo) but her coronavirus has cleared. Her poop also started to form. I never thought I would be so happy to see solid poop. She has regained her appetite and she was back in her playful mood. Cotton was also glad she was back.

Candy on the vet table for her shots

You might be wondering, with all these stuff that I have to go thru, worrying about my dogs ability to socialize or when they get sick or the day-to-day handling of their needs while also going to the office to work, how would that help me with my mental health? Isn’t that something more to concern about that one is better off without? True that it requires a lot, both physically and financially (you need to have a budget for the upkeep), but what they do for me mentally and emotionally is very much rewarding. I don’t see caring for my furbabies as a mental burden. I see it as a way to fill my thoughts and emotions with something more than stuff that makes up a depression. I would rather fill that space in my brain with more of these types of worries and concerns, than let it sink deeper into black hole or oblivion as a consequence of the lockdown and/or the stress that comes from work. Caring is loving (and holds true conversely), and what more puts us in a blissful state than love? Knowing that you can still find or give love during these dark times? The unconditional love that these furbabies give back is just gravy.

Resting after some rough play

So as we usher the new year, think about your own mental health, how to achieve that balanced mind. A healthy mind and body, as well as soul, make whole, complete self. If you think and feel incomplete (regardless whether you’re single, married, “it’s complicated” but still find yourself thinking that there’s still something missing in your life), then maybe God created dogs to fill the void. You can then say to your furbabies “you complete me.” They will still love you back even if they have no idea what you’re talking about.

Biden-Harris Presidency: What It Means To The World

Positivity Buzz

President and Vice-President elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (courtesy of Kamala Harris Instagram account)

Politics and religion are two subjects that I would normally shy away from as these are underlying causes of most heated arguments and conflicts. But there are rare times where I have the urge to write about these subjects, particularly to commemorate an event that resonates well with me. I did a travel and religious themed article earlier (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/09/14/dear-mama-mary/) to celebrate a religious occasion and another article (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/09/21/remembering-miriam-defensor-santiago/) to pay tribute to a political figure who happens to be family.

I got fixated with the recently concluded US election for the past few days. Probably because there were just a lot of depressing news at home (Philippines) that I seem to see some hope in this political event (no matter how foreign and inconsequential it may appear to be locally) that could be another inflection point in history. Plus the more I read about the actors of this year’s election, the more that I got fascinated with the outcome. Though most of us know Joe Biden as the former Vice President of President Barack Obama, not many of us really know the story of this guy. A senator at the young age of 29, Biden lost his first wife along with his youngest daughter (who was just a baby then) in a car accident that left his two sons Beau and Hunter (who were toddlers then) with injuries. The sons survived the accident, a tragic incident that would devastate any father, widowed at a young age, and left with two very young children to look after and grow up without a Mom.

There must be a reason why Beau and Hunter survived. They became Joe’s hope for survival and the reasons for his being. Solo parenting aside and at the prodding of the two young sons who want their Dad to remarry, Joe gave love a second chance. Like in any Nicholas Sparks novels, he found that love in Jill, which he later on acknowledged as one of the two great loves of his life (and may be one of two Biden great love stories).

Joe and Jill Biden (photo courtesy of O Magazine)

If this won’t get you teary eyed, then I don’t know what will. There were reversal of roles as well, where the sons, as grown ups, acted like the parent to Joe, always looking after their Dad who became more entrenched in the political world. Beau followed his father’s footsteps by running (and won) as Attorney General in the same state (Delaware) where his Dad was the favorite Senator. At one point he was groomed to succeed his Dad as Senator, but he would have none of that as he wants to succeed in his own terms, eyeing the governorship instead. In between, Joe has to bear the pain of sending Beau off to Iraq as the younger Biden had enlisted himself earlier for military service. But as fate would have it, Beau was diagnosed with brain cancer later, were he has to give up his government post and job. Just like any family dealing with the disease and the financial burden that comes with it, Joe almost sold his house if not for President Obama who intervened, offering him the money, knowing how much Joe loves that house. Beau, at the young age of 46, succumb to cancer, leaving a wife and two young kids behind, and a grieving father.

At this point, I can’t help but relate to what his family went thru. I can see parallelism in our family lives. I also came from a family of professionals, educators, and politicians, the most prominent was Miriam Defensor Santiago. Like Biden, Miriam also run for the presidency three times, but unlike Biden, she was unsuccessful. But she is now renowned as the best President that the Philippines never had (where Biden can be the best President America will ever have). Both were Senators and both were bestowed with some of the highest honors of the land (Miriam with the Quezon Service Award and Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom). Both also lost a son. There is a saying that no parent should bury their child. Biden didn’t only bury one, but two of his children. I know the pain, grief, and sorrow, when my family also went thru the same. I also witnessed how love ones succumb to the disease and how families come together to console each other.

Joe and Beau Biden (photo courtesy of NPR Org)

As if the grief was not enough, Joe has to see his best friend, Senator John McCain (of Arizona), succumb to the same cancer that Beau had. Though Joe and John are in the opposite sides of the aisle (Joe is a Democrat while John was a Republican), their friendship go way back, where Jill prodded John to introduce himself to his future wife Cindy (then Ms. Hensley). This friendship has been tried and tested over time, so it was no surprise when Cindy McCain, a Republican, threw her support to Joe and endorsed him for President. The long Republican state of Arizona has flipped in this election, where the results have been called in favor of Biden (at least by Associated Press and Fox News), partly attributed to the McCains Republican support to their good old friend Joe.

You can infer that the women in Joe’s life have played crucial roles in both his personal life and his road to the presidency. Joe has always acknowledged Jill Biden as the proverbial woman behind every man’s success. Cindy McCain, a proud Republican, has embodied the famous Filipino President Manuel Quezon statement “my loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.” I believe this is the reason why Biden has chosen a woman to be his running mate, where Kamala Harris addition to his growing family would be a testament of how he highly values the contribution of women in his life.

The McCains (John and Cindy) with Joe Biden (photo courtesy of Business Insider)

I don’t know much of Kamala Harris and her story, except that she was once called by then President Barack Obama as the hottest Attorney General of the land. A rising star in San Francisco’s District Attorney Office, she became Attorney General of California and later on became a US Senator. She ran for 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and eventually gave in to Biden and then chosen as his running mate. What I surely know though, is that she has shattered glass ceilings, a daughter of immigrant parents who defied race and gender to get to where she is now, the first female Vice President of color.

So how will the Biden-Harris presidency impacts the world? The reason why I dwelled on Biden’s story is to humanize the presidency. Humanizing the presidency will give us some insights on how Joe will take US leadership forward in the global arena. We know that Joe suffered losses both in his personal and political lives, so this is a man who can empathize with every citizen in the world who has suffered from hate, discrimination, cruelty, oppression, or have lost someone to cancer, COVID, climate change (typhoons, cyclones, wildfires), and other tragedies. This is a man whom President Barack Obama trusted and utilized to connect to the middle class and as bridge to the other side of the aisle. Joe will not only be a unifying US President, but also a unifying global leader. This is a man who values family first, so it is expected that he will bring US, a prodigal son, back to her global family. This is a man who, like his old boss, exemplify decency, statesmanship, and ethical leadership, who has no sense of entitlement at all. This is a man who is beholden to a promise made to a dying son and will likely leave a honest and lasting legacy not only in the US but in the world.

Photo courtesy of Hillary Clinton Twitter account

Together with Kamala Harris, this is the presidency that will symbolize hope, kindness, justice, accountability, and equality, a stronger democracy not defined by race, gender, and social status. A presidency that can drive international cooperation and unity. A presidency that can usher watershed opportunities for the other countries as well.

Congratulations Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Love what you guys represent.

Life is a Beach (Second of Two Parts)

Travel and Positivity Buzz

Cool, clear, blue Aegean Sea

There’s a proverbial phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” which embraces positivity and optimism amidst trying times. What can be truer than this than the situation we are all in right now where it feels like our lives have been taken over by the COVID virus, which is nothing more than the common cold virus except that it’s deadlier. I thought this can only happen in the movies, but looks like life is stranger than fiction. Like in the movies, the contagion has resulted to lockdowns where travel and mobility are restricted. Face mask and shield have become so common like underwear that you cannot be caught dead without wearing one. Given that the best way to handle this health crisis is to treat anyone as potential carrier, no matter how hideous and uncomfortable these protective gears are, we just simply have to appreciate these as something we cannot leave our homes without.

Count your blessings

So how do we make lemonade out of this pandemic? There are people who see opportunities out of a crisis (both good and bad ones) and there are those who simply accept the ‘new normal’ (I’m starting to get annoyed with this phrase). For me, it’s the time to count my blessings, to reflect on life with its ups and downs, and how I could see myself as a survivor. Sounds cliche and corny for most, but if you haven’t appreciated those things that you would normally take for granted (such as freedom to move around), then maybe the lockdown can facilitate such realization of how being free is precious yet vulnerable.

My happy place

This is also the time to go back to your happy place. For me, beaches have always been my happy place. Or any body of water for that matter. I’ve always been attracted to bodies of water. Maybe because my feng shui says that I am a water element, so that would probably explain why I would find myself in that blissful state of peace and serenity when I’m near a body of water. Like lemonade, it feels refreshing, that’s why even if summer went by without being able to go to the beach, just the mere thought of it would already alleviate whatever stress this lockdown has brought on our mental and emotional well-being.

Reliving the ghost of summer past

So to keep our sanity and emotional stability in check, let us continue our virtual trip to the different beaches around the world. In the first part of this article, we were able to cover the 3 A’s (Asia, America, and Africa). In this second part, let’s fly to Europe, Middle East, and Oceania, and explore the beaches that I have been to in more than 20 years of travels.

Europe

Praia da Ribeira (Cascais, Portugal)

Europe has always been a fave destination of mine. Aside from its rich history, art treasures, bustling culture, and century old architecture, some places have nice beaches. One such place is Barcelona (Spain). The home of Gaudi, this city is a mix of the old and the new. Modern skyscrapers blending in with the works of Gaudi makes this a very livable city. Not to mention beautiful people. To top it all, it has a beach called Barceloneta on its coastline that is easy reach by car, bicycle, public transportation or even by foot if you happen to be staying in one of the hotels that are lining up the whole stretch of the beach (in my case, I stayed at Pullman Barcelona Skipper which is about 200 meters from the beach). Just like any beach in a city, it gets packed on summers. You don’t need to go far or drive a couple of hours just to get to one. No wonder I fell in love with this city the first time I’ve experienced it. This is one of my top five cities in the world that I would love to live in if given the chance.

(Top left) Hotel rooftop view of the iconic fish art, the marina, and Barceloneta beach; (top right and bottom) Barceloneta beach, promenade, and topless sunbathers (Barcelona, Spain)

Another such place where the old and the new mesh well is Malta. It is the home of the oldest standing structure in the world (called Gigantia, much older than the pyramids of Egypt) in one of the two main islands called Gozo. Valletta, its capital city, is like an open museum with new architecture blending in. The city has pockets of beaches as well, which provide the locals enough space to enjoy the sun, the sand, and the sea. The city is very scenic and the people are nice. Another great place to live in.

View of the city, marina, and beach from my hotel room balcony (Valletta, Malta)

Europe also boasts of beautiful resort towns and islands full of fine beaches along its coastlines. The resort town of Cascais (Portugal) is one such resort town that has a few beaches to choose from. There’s the Praia da Ribeira, a wide stretch of beach that sits along the busy promenade where locals and tourists alike who find the water too cold for swimming (which is common in European beaches even during summers, unlike its Asian counterparts) can sit and enjoy the cool breeze, the sun, and the sights. There’s Praia da Rainha, a secluded beach which you can access thru rows of restos on a cliff, which gives you the option of having a table and order your fave drinks while basking under the sun and enjoying the bird’s eye view of the beach and seascape. You can go down to the beach and take a dip into the cold waters or just do your sunbathing on the fine sands to get that nice tan.

Praia da Rainha (Cascais, Portugal)

Aside from Spain, Malta, and Portugal, Italy and Montenegro also have nice resort towns with fine beaches. I wrote about the resort towns of Positano and Amalfi in Italy in my previous article (https://columbusbee.blog/2020/03/15/italy-how-thou-i-love-thee-let-me-count-the-ways-part-2-of-2/) as well as the island of Capri. Montenegro has the resort town Budva, which, just like any other resort towns in Europe, is deliciously beautiful with its old charm mixing well with modern marina and pebbly beaches. You can have lunch by the beach if the water is too cold and can sit through all day people watching as well as appreciating the scenery.

(Top) Beaches of Budva (Montenegro); (bottom) lunch by the beach

Then of course you have the popular isles of Greece. Two of which are Mykonos and Santorini, which I wrote about in my earlier article (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/07/21/greece-of-myths-mediterranean-food-and-beaches-part-2-of-2/). You can do beach hopping in any of these isles, as both have pockets of beaches along its coastline. Just be on a lookout for tourist traps, particularly in Mykonos. You need to be extra cautious in this place. You don’t want to get “robbed” (just like what happened to me as shared in my article) that can potentially ruin an otherwise enjoyable holiday. Tourist traps aside, the beaches tick all the boxes: fair share of sunshine all throughout summers, clear blue or green waters, white to black sands or pebbles from volcanic matter, and cool, light to windy sea breeze (Mykonos at times can be very windy).

Beach hopping in Santorini (Greece) from left (clockwise): Black Beach, White Beach, Red Beach

What is common among these European beaches is that these rest along the shores of the Adriatic, Aegean, and Mediterranean seas. I don’t know what’s with these seas, but there is something mystical and magical every time I’m near these bodies of water. It’s like something’s calling me to be near it, to feel it, to soak in it. Aside from its crystal clear waters that are always enticing (as well as baffling, like how waters along some of these big cities and towns have been kept clean thru centuries), there is something special and dreamy about these seas, like unicorns. If I have to get mythical about it, I may be a descendant of Poseidon or his demigod son Triton. It seems like I’m forever under the spell of these seas, that’s why I always keep on coming back.

Chillin by the Red Beach

The magical spell seems to also make people less inhibited. It’s not uncommon in these beaches that people can do the full monty regardless of age and let it all hang out like it’s nobody’s business. What can be more freeing than that feeling of being one with nature (or in this case, being one with the sea)? I haven’t done that yet, but if I did, it would be the most courageous and liberating act that I could ever do in this lifetime (I could probably consider skinny dipping lol).

Middle East

Nation Riviera Beach Club with the view of the Fairmont Marina (the one that looks like Atlantis The Palm) at Al Kasir Island and the Arabian Gulf (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

The only time that I was in the Middle East (aside from layover in Muscat in one of my long haul flights) was when I availed of the stopover promo of Etihad Airways where I spent a few days in Abu Dhabi (the airline’s main hub). The business class promo comes with accommodations at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi which entitle guest access to the private Nation Riviera Beach Club. The beach can be easily reached from the hotel thru an air-conditioned underground tunnel underneath the Corniche.

View of Arabian Gulf, Al Kasir Island, and Nation Riviera Beach Club from my hotel room (The St. Regis Abu Dhabi)

The beach is large enough and provides a good view of the Fairmont Marina Abu Dhabi (which is the emirate’s version of Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm) in Al Kasir Island. Coupled with turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf and the pristine sands give this beach that chill vibe aside from the exclusivity and luxury attached to these private beach clubs.

(Left) View of The St. Regis Abu Dhabi; (right) enjoying my fave drink while chillin in one of the beach loungers

Since it was the stopover before my flight back to Manila, it was the perfect break from all the flying and walking while on holiday. What better way to rest those tired feet (from walking) and back (from flying intra-Europe) than to lie on one of the beach loungers and sip my fave drink while enjoying the sun, the cool sea breeze, and the nice view.

Oceania

Pinky Beach (Rottnest Island, Australia)

Hopping to the other side of the globe, this region is known not only for its beaches but also for all bodies of water. Starting off with New Zealand, this country is not really known for its beaches but for its fjords, lakes, rivers, and extreme water adventures. But it still has decent beaches on the shores of its cities such as those in Auckland, Devonport, and Wellington and in the coasts of its islands such as Waiheke. The waters and sands in these beaches may not be as pristine as those in Asia and Europe, but these are still good spots to relax especially during summers (take note that summer in this region is between December to March so a good alternative for those living in winter regions or in my case, a good travel option to get out of Manila during December to escape the holiday madness and horrendous traffic).

Mission Bay Beach (Auckland, New Zealand)

Wellington, in particular, has pockets of beaches along its coastline where aside from an enjoyable walk along the long stretch of its promenade, the beaches are bustling with life where Kiwis (locals) that are not sunbathing on the sands are enjoying meals in restos lining up the promenade or having either cold drinks or ice cream from kiosks around the area. I remember going to these different beach spots from my hotel on foot. It was a long walk (about 30 minutes walk one way on my pace, which can be longer if you walk slower), but it didn’t feel like one cause I enjoy the stroll and the sights where not only you pass by shops, bars, restos, museums, a marina and activity center on the way to the beach, but also get a glimpse of Kiwi city life. I enjoyed each trip to the beach, not to mention the calories burnt from walking to keep that slender beach body in check (from all the good food during these holidays).

Bondi Beach (Sydney, Australia)

Australia, on the other hand, is a beach country. Every major city across the continent has its own beach, either natural or man-made. I’ve been to this continent a few times, which only speaks of how much I liked this place. Sydney, which is one of my top five cities in the world (along with Barcelona that I mentioned earlier), boasts of several beaches close to the city center, which makes this a very livable city (I would live there if given the chance). A few minutes by car or by public transportation is the popular Bondi Beach. A vast beach with strong currents and fine sands, this is the beach for both surfers and sunbathers alike. A few minutes by ferry from Sydney harbour is Manly Beach. This place exudes resort town vibe, where shops, ice cream and yogurt parlors abound. The beach and the commercial area are teeming with life, which only affirms that Aussies love their beaches. Not far by foot from Manly Beach is Shelly Beach. While Manly has fine sands, Shelly is a pebbly beach. While Manly has strong waves like those in Bondi, Shelly has calm waters as the beach is located in a cove that is sheltered from strong winds. No wonder Shelly Beach is the more suitable beach wedding scene than any other Sydney beaches.

(Top left) Manly Beach; (top right) beach wedding at Shelly Beach (Sydney, Australia). (Bottom) St. Kilda Beach (Melbourne, Australia)

Another Australian city that demonstrates how Aussies mix their eclectic city living with beach culture is Melbourne. Aside from the fact that Melbourne is the cultural hub of the continent (and the most European among all the major cities in Australia), it has some of the spectacular beaches in the region. Not far from the city is St. Kilda, a resort town with a fine beach, promenade, and amusement park. There’s also a weekend market by the beach promenade that sells all kinds of stuff, from organic to art to basic necessities. Of course, Melbourne’s crown jewel is the Great Ocean Road, its coastline similar to Amalfi Coast where pockets of beaches with amazing views of the rock formations abound. A trip to Melbourne won’t be complete without seeing this postcard perfect coastline. This is where Australia’s own version of the 12 Apostles are, which comprised of several rock formations that used to be a dozen when counted but less of that nowadays.

One of the pockets of beaches along the Great Ocean Road (Melbourne, Australia)

But the beach capital of the country (and the region) is neither of these two cities. Gold Coast is where beach buddies, surfers, and sun worshipers go for the waters, the wave, or just for the sun. When I said in the first part of this article that Guam reminds me of Gold Coast, that’s because of the long stretch of beach lined up with international hotel brands and apartments. I haven’t been to Miami, but I’m pretty sure this is how Miami would look like. Not only a shore full of skyscrapers, but also full of sculpted and tanned bodies.

(Clockwise from top left) View of the Surfers Paradise Beach from my hotel room balcony; view of the skyscrapers from the beach; at the main entrance to the beach (Gold Coast, Australia)

Surfers Paradise is the main beach and this looks like the melting pot of summer holidaymakers. It also helps that it has that resort town vibe that makes it more attractive to vacationers all over the world. There’s always entertainment in Cavill Avenue (the heart of Surfers Paradise, which is Aussies’ definition of a mall) amidst the backdrop of shops, bars, and restos. What more can you ask for in a place that has the sun, the waters, the waves, the sands, the shopping, and the entertainment, not to mention beautiful people from all over.

(Top) Glenelg Beach, Adelaide, Australia; (bottom) man-made beach in the heart of Brisbane, Australia

As mentioned earlier, every city in this country seems to have its own beach. Adelaide has Glenelg beach, which looks like the sister of St. Kilda beach, but still maintains its unique old town charm. Brisbane has a man-made beach in the middle of the city, which is a first for me (though this is not the first man-made beach I’ve been to, where Plantation Bay in Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines has both fresh and salt water beaches). Perth does not have a beach in the city, but off its coast is Rottnest Island, an unspoilt, raw, and natural island blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve been to. Stunning would be an understatement to describe Pinky Beach. Reaching the beach from the center of the island reminds me of that same feeling I had the first time I’ve seen Boracay Island White Beach in the 90’s (at the time when it wasn’t the party island that it is today). The sun seems to be kissing the fine sands as it deflects the light (like it’s kissing back) while the seascape is mesmerizing. In the absence of any commercial establishments (except for a few restos and shops in the center of the island) and the cleanliness that has been imposed on the island. it has maintained its beautiful natural state over the years. Talk about sustainable tourism.

Rottnest Island, Australia

Ever wonder where the island got its name? Apparently an explorer in the 17th century discovered this island and thought the quokkas that are endemic to this island are rats. Since there were a lot of these gentle mammals at that time (and even up to this day), he probably thought the island is a nesting place for rats. Nowadays, people and quokkas have learned to co-exist, maintaining that balance as nature has intended it to be.

A quokka foraging for scraps (Rottnest Island, Australia)

So we have reached the end of the road for our virtual beach tour around the world. How did you find the trip, dear readers? Did you get some virtual tan while soaking into the joy and serenity that these beaches had to offer? While on quarantine, I hope this has brought sunshine in a phone or in a laptop, a temporary relief from the new reality that we live in right now. This part of our lifetime may not be the worst of experiences that we have gone thru, but if you are starting to feel like life is a bitch, think of all your blessings and come to the realization that life can also be a beach. This is coming from someone who has to go thru life with his own flaws (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/06/15/ihaveflaws/), personal tragedy, betrayal, pain, struggles, and lessons learned. But what’s life without these to live by and with? As the saying goes, what won’t kill you will only make you stronger.

Sunsets signify the end of day that was and the start of new day that will be

So if life gives you lemons, chill and make plenty of cool, refreshing lemonade. Coz you only live once, and life’s too short to realize you haven’t really lived at all. Smile and start living.

Living life like an island boy

Life is a Beach (First of Two Parts)

Travel Buzz

The joy of doing nothing

Summer came and went (at least in the Philippines) and we are still holed up in this lockdown. Truly, the COVID pandemic has dramatically changed how we live our lives that even the season that we look forward to for some rest and recreation passed us by too quickly that it seems like it didn’t come at all. Not that I’m bemoaning the season gone (there are far more gazillion problems out there like loss of jobs, hunger, racism, neo-Nazi plight of ethnic minorities and other forms of abuse, oppression, and persecution that deserve more attention) but just to reflect on how time can slip us by without us even noticing it.

Missing summer

Now that summer is officially over (and here comes the monsoon rains), let me reminisce this time of the year when I would normally hie off to a beach to relax and enjoy the sun, the sand, and the sea. Not to gloat or show off really, but just my attempt to bring some sunshine in this otherwise grim and gloomy world scenario and to take you on a virtual trip around the globe to see the beaches that I have been to in all my travels (though I may miss a few coz it’s hard to track the last 20 years of travel). So pack your virtual bags (don’t forget to bring the sunscreen) and indulge in the beautiful scenery that this world has to offer (in spite of the ugliness in the world today).

Asia

Beautiful sunset of Lagen Island (El Nido, Palawan)

This is the region that has probably and arguably the best beaches in the world. My beloved Philippines, for example, has been in the list of every major travel magazines out there as having some of the finest beaches in the world. I’ll start off with Boracay white beach, coz this is the first beach that I’ve been to in my youth that really mesmerized me with its natural, unspoiled, unadulterated beauty. This was the old Boracay during the 90’s when there were only a handful of resort-like accommodations (not the party island that it is today) and the white sands were like baby (talc) powder. Tired and weary from the presidential campaign of Miriam Defensor Santiago (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/09/21/remembering-miriam-defensor-santiago/), me and the youth volunteers went to Boracay for some needed relaxation. With crystal clear warm waters, smooth tides, powdery sands, and the sun smiling at us, it was one of my earlier memories where I was truly in awe of a place with so much beauty.

One of my earlier fave summer hideaways (Club Paradise, Dimakya Island, Palawan). Stunning view (the beach looks nice too lol)

A favorite hideaway and escape for me earlier is in Dimakya Island off the coast of Busuanga, Palawan. There was only one resort there (Club Paradise) that was used to be owned by a German entrepreneur. The reason why it’s a fave of mine is because once you are in the island, you are totally disconnected from the rest of the world: no cellphone signal, no TV in the room (where the only TV in the island is in the recreation room of the resort, along with the billiard table, library, and some VCDs) and the only form of communication is thru a radio system. Don’t get me wrong, just because you have these little life inconveniences do not follow that there were no decent amenities in the island. On the contrary, you can still enjoy some fine dining and luxurious services (they have a spa area) depending on how much dollars (yes dear, the rates were not local prices with premium but the equivalent of being charged in dollars) you are willing to spend. A perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the annoying calls of your boss on your personal time.

Summer rainbow (Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa, Arreceffi Island, Palawan)

Aside from Dimakya Island, Palawan boasts of some of the most beautiful islands in the world (rated #1 by some travel magazines) with pristine white beaches. Off the coast of Puerto Princesa (where the new wonder of the world Underground River is) is Arreceffi Island (where Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa is). It boast of a house reef where colorful fishes abound and good for all-day snorkeling. Or enjoy a stroll along the long stretch of the beach and relax in one of the resort’s cabanas.

(Left): Lagen Island (Right top): Miniloc Island (Right bottom): Pangulasian Island

But the crown jewels of Palawan are in El Nido. El Nido Resorts, for one, manages 3 resorts in 3 different islands. Lagen Island is known for its beautiful sunsets. It doesn’t have a good beach but the beautiful sunset alone makes up for it. Miniloc Island has a nice beach that attracts a lot of fishes, particularly the jackfish thanks to the daily jackfish feeding in the resort. Pangulasian Island has the most luxurious resort among the 3 locations. It has a white pebbly beach with crystal clear calm waters. It also has a house reef where you can do a lot of snorkeling, where you can snorkel your way from the reef back to the resort (with the resort guide in tow of course). A visit to these resorts won’t be complete without doing the island hopping. Part of that tour is the trip to small and big lagoons and Snake Island with its popular fine white sandbar that emerges during low tide.

Island hopping (El Nido, Palawan)

Mactan Island (Cebu) and Bohol are two other islands in the country with fine beaches. Mactan Island hosts resorts like Shangri-La, Plantation Bay (a man-made beach and lagoon), and Movenpick. Bohol has Panglao beach. While the former is very commercialized and high-end, the latter is laid-back and still has that rustic charm courtesy of coconut trees lining up along the beach. Both have fine white sands and calm clear waters. So depending on what kind of vibe you are looking for, you have a good mix of beach locations to choose from.

The Beach (Phi Phi Island, Thailand)

A country that can parallel the beauty of the Philippines is Thailand. It’s my favorite country in Southeast Asia and has some of the famous islands and beaches in the world. Who can forget Phi Phi Island, where Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie The Beach was shot? That stunning seascape immortalized by that movie has left me in awe while island hopping from the resort that I was billeted in. This is where I had my first taste of kayaking, which is the only way to get into Thailand’s own version of the hidden/secret beach in the big/small lagoons. As a kayaking virgin, I think I did pretty well navigating the tight entrance which is also the exit (so you have to ensure that the small opening is free of kayak traffic as well as swimmers getting in and out of the hidden/secret beach). This reminds me also of the secret beach in El Nido, where you have to wiggle your way in a tight hole on the wall of the limestone cliff on shallow waters (literally a hole where only your body can fit) to get to the hidden beach.

Snorkeling in Thai waters

Then there’s the popular Phuket and Pattaya beaches, both popular and party beaches. While the former is an island, the latter is part of the mainland where you can get to by car from Bangkok in just a couple of hours. Phuket has Patong beach while Pattaya has Pattaya, Jomtien, and Dongtan beaches (more on Pattaya in my earlier article https://columbusbee.blog/2019/12/28/a-tale-of-two-pattayas/). Beaches in these locations are similar in both sand and water quality.

Taking a dip to cool off

Two other Southeast Asian beach destinations are Bali (Indonesia) and Langkawi (Malaysia). Bali is like Pattaya where it has two sides: the noisy, party side of the island (Kuta and Seminyak beaches) and the quiet, peaceful side (Nusa Dua beach). Do not expect any white sands here though, as the beaches are likely made from volcanic rocks/debris similar to those in Greece (which I will feature later in this article). Langkawi on the other hand, is an island with pockets of beaches (similar to Mactan Island), like the resort I stayed in that I have featured in one of the blog’s articles (https://columbusbee.blog/2019/09/07/the-danna-langkawi-a-brief-escape-to-remember/).

Langkawi, Malaysia

America

This region would probably have some of the best beaches as well, but I have only been to one. The island of Guam, which is a U.S. territory, is not only known for its beaches but also for outlet shopping. So this island is a haven for those who enjoy the sun, the sand, and the sea plus the shopping. Tumon beach is lined up with international hotel brands, so you have a lot to choose from (I stayed at The Westin Resort Guam). Reminds me of Gold Coast (Australia), which I will write about later part of this article.

Africa

Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town (South Africa)

Let’s now hop to the other side of the world, the region where the waters and the land meet in stunning fashion. What better way to see this is thru the beaches of Africa, particularly those in Cape Town, South Africa. One such beach, Camps Bay beach, does not only have white sands and clear waters, but also spectacular view of the 12 Apostles Mountain Range. To me, a beach with these scenery is a perfect place to be in, where the ocean’s blue waters meet the mass of brown and green earth. Unfortunately, it was winter when I got there, so didn’t really have the opportunity to see how beautiful the views are during summers. But I was still amazed nevertheless.

12 Apostles Mountain Range (partly covered by clouds) and Camps Bay Beach (Cape Town, South Africa)

Cape Town boasts of other beaches along its coastline (like those in Melbourne’s Great Ocean Road with its own 12 Apostles which I will write about later part of this article) such as Boulders beach. What makes this beach unique is the penguin colony that thrives in this location. Unlike the beaches of Asia where palm or coconut trees line up along the beach, this one is lined up with penguin nests. What I noticed is that each nest has two nestlings with their mom (the dad may probably be out looking for food). But be careful going near a nest, the mom can be very protective of her young that she will chase anyone that comes near, and that strong, sharp beak can cause serious injuries.

Boulders Beach and its popular penguin colony (Cape Town, South Africa)

On the northern part of the continent is Morocco, which I wrote a two-part article earlier (first part https://columbusbee.blog/2020/05/10/morocco-a-peak-into-my-expat-past-life-part-1-of-2/ and second part https://columbusbee.blog/2020/06/07/morocco-a-peak-into-my-expat-past-life-part-2-of-2/). Casablanca has La Corniche, the beach that has that Miami vibe where hotels and restos line up along the beach. Agadir has its beach as well, where it can get crowded and lively during summers. The beaches of Morocco usually have beige sands and cloudy waters, so for those who are finicky about sand and water quality, these may not be the best spots for you.

Agadir Beach, Morocco

Let’s pause for now and take a short break from beach overload. Yeah, I know the natural, stunning beauty can be overwhelming, with all these awesome beaches that can be very similar in some ways yet can also be unique in their own ways. To think that we have only covered three regions and there are still three more to go. Tired yet from all the virtual travels? Don’t hang up those virtual beach wear yet coz you’ll need those in the next leg of this trip.

Beach cove along Africa’s coastline

Up next: Europe, Middle East, and Oceania

Morocco: A Peek Into My Expat Past Life – Part 2 of 2

Travel Buzz

Marrakesh, Morocco

This 2nd part of the special blog anniversary edition took me a while to write since I have been distracted by a new love in my life (talk about love in the time of COVID). His name is Cotton, a Maltese pup that I just got a while back and is now giving me much love and joy. He reminds of Bruno, the Tibetan spaniel I got while living my expat life in Casablanca, Morocco which I wrote about in the first part of this article. Timid and shy at first, both their personalities started to show after just a few days of bonding by sleeping and playing together (I learned that putting the puppy on my tummy while lying in bed on its first day in his new home breaks the ice and creates that feeling of trust and probably mimics his Mom’s warmth and heartbeat which lessen the pup’s separation anxiety).

Top left (clockwise): Cotton in his bed of toys; licking my face; playing with his squeaky porcupine toy; snuggling in my comforter; watchin Youtube of Maltese pups; sleeping with his SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy toy (with real-feel heartbeat for separation anxiety)

The other thing that gives me much joy lately are the comments that you readers have left on my blog. The blog is not only commemorating its first year anniversary but also celebrating all the readers from 5 continents and 38 countries/territories (as of this writing) for giving this space global acceptance of its themes. The comments that you’ve left only inspire me to write more about experiences that I can share from my Filipino roots point of view with global citizen perspective. We all live in a small world and the themes on travel, food, health, and positivity are universal languages that resonate well across the globe.

Some of the comments readers from all over the world have left on the blog site

A decade after I first set foot on Moroccan soil (and African continent), I decided to sort of do a homecoming. So I included a few cities in Morocco as part of my annual holiday itinerary that year, not only to see places that I’ve missed while living and working there, but also to see some of my friends as well. So right after the Barcelona leg of the trip, I took a Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca and was welcomed by my friends in my hotel. We had a pretty good time, swapping stories and what’s new in our lives and just simply catch up.

Sights of Marrakesh

One of my friends arranged for a car to take us to and around the places that we plan to visit. First stop was Marrakesh (or Marrakech), one of the more popular Moroccan destinations. You’ve probably read about this exotic place in travel magazines as well as seen in the movies (prominently featured in Sex and The City 2, among others). This is one of the ancient cities in the world that continue to preserve the legacy, glory, and remnants of its past, without sacrificing the comforts of modernity. We went to see some of its more touristy sites, like Jama El f’na market and medina of Marrakesh, where anything from ordinary (like the usual souks and tea shops in the medina) to the bizarre (like the snake charmers and performers in the market) can be found. We had lunch not in the medina itself but in a restaurant that is known for very good tagine (or tajine), a Moroccan dish that I wrote about in the first part of the article which is my favorite Moroccan food (I specifically requested to eat in a Moroccan restaurant in Marrakesh that serves the best tagine).

From top left (clockwise): Jama El F’na Market; charming the snake charmers; medina of Marrakesh; one of the souks in the medina

We also went to see Menara Gardens and Jardin Majorelle. The former is an ancient botanical gardens where ‘menara’ refers to the pavilion with a small green pyramid-shaped rooftop. It sits at the edge of a water basin (that looks like a small lake) which apparently is used to irrigate the surrounding gardens. Jardin Majorelle, on the other hand, has no ancient roots, but a botanical garden that is a product of modern French orientalist artist vision who put together a diverse flora and was later acquired by the late French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent (or YSL for short). You can find YSL’s memorial in the garden. The garden is fashionably diverse, from the choice of flora to the colors of the villa complex that houses a few museums.

Menara Gardens

Going around the city you’ll also find ancient structures and architectures. Two of the prominent ones are the Koutoubia and El Badii Palace. The former is a 12th century mosque with a garden and an imposing minaret that can be seen from mostly anywhere in the city (like Eiffel Tower in Paris). The latter is a 16th century ruins of a royal residence, a massive complex that occupies a whole block of the city. On the roads, you will see horse or donkey drawn carriages. You’ll be mesmerized by the sights and sounds that it feels like being transported to an alternative time and universe.

(Top): Koutoubia mosque and minaret; (bottom): Jardin Majorelle

The next stop was Rabat, Morocco’s capital. While Casablanca is the business and cultural capital, Rabat is the country’s center for politics and government where the country’s monarchy resides as well as diplomats and supranationals. Two of its main tourist attractions are the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Hassan Tower is a 12th century minaret of an unfinished mosque. It is surrounded by what looks like columns, which apparently should have served as foundation of what was supposed to be the biggest mosque in the world at that time. Like the minaret of Koutoubia, the Hassan Tower can also be seen from mostly anywhere in the city. From the opposite side of the Hassan Tower is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. It contains the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons. The ornate structure has the same green tiled pyramid-shaped rooftop as that of Menara pavilion. No surprise there given that green is apparently the color of Islam. The interiors are beautiful, where the aesthetic details are typical of Arabic heritage, mostly comprised of metallic hues of gold and silver blended with the soft texture of Middle Eastern textiles and carpets.

Top left (clockwise): Hassan Tower; Mausoleum of Mohammed V; tomb of the king; intricate interiors of the mausoleum

It was a homecoming of sorts in a country that I consider as second home. Much has changed since then, even the way locals treat foreigners particularly Asians. Before, they favor Asians than any other foreigners, but now, with the influx of Asian tourists particularly Chinese, I didn’t get anymore the same attention that I had years earlier. Perhaps the novelty of race is fleeting, depending really on how one treats locals. I still have high respect for a country that opened my eyes to the world and heightened my travel senses, and to its people whose humility has enriched my soul. My first and last visits to Africa (with South Africa in between) have been significant milestones in my life, that’s why it is a fitting story to celebrate the anniversary and to welcome Africa as the latest continental addition to the global footprint of the blog.

Rabat, Morocco

Thank you dear readers for giving me the opportunity to share my stories and for the lovely thoughts that you have left on the site. The pleasure was all mine.

Moroccan landscape