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Lesson 1: They don’t have ketchup, they have tomato sauce.

Lesson 2: “E” is pronounced as “I” so if someone says “Wanna come see my dick?” that’s not what he meant in Australia.

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ADVENTURES IN LIFE. ADVENTURES IN LOVE. ADVENTURES IN GIVING.

It took a lot of friends to convince me to join Facebook. I resisted because I’m actually quite a private person. But my friend Brian advised me to open an account – so for good measure, I did. I didn’t know it would change my life.

My Facebook account soon replaced email as my way to communicate with my family to keep them abreast of my whereabouts. Sometimes, I over share because I lose sight that I am not just talking to my family anymore- there are 2,500 others reading this. Luckily, many friends didn’t mind my posts, in fact, got engaged.

Last year, a friend who was going through chemo wrote me a note “When I was going through my treatments, I would try not to log on for a week. That way I can read your posts and your friends’ witty comments when I am on my treatment. They made me laugh.” Another friend who was going through a bad divorce wrote, “Your posts were the only thing that could make me laugh during my tough divorce.”

I was glad to make small impact, but the truth is, it has changed me as well.

Facebook has allowed me to bask in the kindness of friends and strangers. It pushed me to the limits of my abilities. It enabled me to venture into places I’ve only dreamed about. It has allowed me to showcase my art. It became a medium to share my stories and adventures. Above all, it allowed me to impact over 16,000 poor children in the Philippines.

With that said – I want to introduce my new travel blog – EDWINTURE. I am hoping that with this blog, I can make you laugh a little, live a little and love a lot.

Whether I am scaling the pyramids in Giza, exploring ancient civilization in Greece, or cruising down the Thames, I hope you can join me in my edwintures. I can certainly use the company …

 

One of the largest Halloween street parties in the world happens in West Hollywood, California, just 6 blocks from our house.

On October 31st, you will see the craziest, most creative, most artistic and most absurd costumes you’d ever see. Over 300,000 people attend the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval street party on Santa Monica Boulevard (from La Cienega to Robertson). Visitors prepare to bring your camera – you will have a blast! Admission is free and the event starts at 6 PM and runs until 1 AM.

Here are a few of the best costumes of 2014.

 

 

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Planning our trip to Coron, Palawan was kind of difficult and frustrating. I asked a few friends, Googled it and read blogs, and no one could really explain how to plan a trip to Coron.

Having visited the island, I can go on and on about the beauty of Coron, but instead, I’d like to dedicate this article on helping you plan your trip. Just follow these simple steps and you’re guaranteed to have an amazing time:

1) Book your plane ticket thru Philippine Airlines (www.PhilippineAirlines.com). There are two flights from Manila to Busuanga (Coron) daily. Flight takes 45 minutes and costs anywhere from $90 to $350 depending on how far in advance you book your flights.

2) Book your hotel at Asia Grand View (AsiaGrandView.com). It’s one of the best hotels on the island and it’s pretty reasonably priced from $100-$150 depending on the season. And for $7/person, their van can pick you up at the airport. Just give them a call to arrange for pick up.

3) Upon arrival, the front desk will ask you if you would like to book an island hopping/beach excursion. They have four options and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. They have an amazing team of people who picked us from the hotel, took us on a boat to the crystal clear lagoons, and cooked us our lunch on the boat while we snorkeled. Menu included grilled fish, grilled pork chop, pork steak, cucumber salad and drinks. Packages start at P1200/person ($30). You have an option to join a tour group or have a private boat.

4) Pack your bags.

Yes, it’s that simple! So book your flights today before the entire world discovers these islands.

 

 

The main attraction at Changi International Airport in Singapore is not its fancy duty free shops, state of the art lounges, or its fancy architecture – but its art sculpture.

“Kinetic Rain” was created by Berlin Firm ART+COM. It consists of two sets of 608 suspended raindrops made from lightweight aluminum covered in copper and is computationally controlled by complex programming and computers. Each raindrop weighs 180 grams (6.3 oz) and is suspended by a thin wire. These beautiful raindrops are raised and lowered in a 15-minute computationally designed choreography controlled from motors embedded in the ceiling. The raindrops morph into different shapes such as airplanes, kites or hot air balloons.

 

This unique moving sculpture was installed in early July 2012 in the Departure-Check-in hall of Terminal 1 of Singapore Changi Airport.

According to Art+Com, the sculpture “aims to be a source of identity for its location, and provides a moment for passengers to contemplate and reflect.”

 

The natural beauty of Oia’s unique stone topography, dark blue waters in combination with its traditional Greek architecture of white washed houses, gorgeous villas, winding streets, windmills and blue domed churches, make this village unique and popular among photographers. All that beauty, along with the gorgeous sunset in the afternoon, make this an unbelievable place you have to see and experience in your lifetime.

Oia is a picturesque town in Santorini, Greece beloved by artists, locals and the tourists alike. If you’re a photographer or a painter or you simply enjoy sunsets, you have to come and experience this daily phenomenon. (It’s also named one of the most romantic spots to propose to your loved one!).

During daytime, it is a busy destination for visiting cruise ship passengers. So it’s best to avoid it! It is better to arrive in the early evening, allowing plenty of time to meander, shop and take photographs, then have a relaxing meal in one of the restaurants while watching one of the most beautiful sunsets you would ever experience.

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I’d like to take credit and say that I discovered this incredibly decadent hotel after a long, exhaustive research. But the truth is, a friend I was traveling with booked it for us.

When my friend Ethan told me that he has booked our hotel, I immediately asked for the website. “You don’t understand Ethan,” I warned him, “I want something straight out of the ‘King and I’ set … I want a hotel that has Balinese charm, but with Western amenities.” Sure enough, Arma Hotel Bali provided both. Arma Resort is what you have envisioned your magical Balinese vacation to be (and more).

ARMA RESORT offers beautiful, comfortable accommodations in a serene and lush environment. The resort is set amidst 10 acres (4 hectares) of landscaped gardens, rice fields, lotus ponds, pools, stream and fountains. This place truly reflects the essence of Bali in sights, sounds, smells and tastes.

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1. 1. You don’t remember your mother’s birthday but you have your frequent flyer number memorized.
   2. Your idea of porn is Travel and Leisure Magazine
   3. Your wallet (or home drawer) has at least 5 types of currencies
   4. You have a selfie with a parrot, a monkey, a koala, an elephant and a kangaroo.
      
   5. Your profile pic is of you in an exotic country
   6. You don’t name drop celebrities at dinner parties, you name drop countries you’ve visited
   7. Your yearly goal in life is to get status with an airline (and you actually have a plan in place)
   8. You’re still in the middle of your vacation and you’re already planning the next one
   9. You can name all the restaurants at the airport
   10. You think that travel where you don’t need your passport doesn’t really count as travel
   11. You can’t name the Khardashian sisters but you can name every country in the Eastern bloc
   12. You’d pick a rainy day Argentina or a snow storm in Zurich over a sunny day at home
   13. Your credit card was issued by an airline
   14. Half of your Facebook friends are people you’ve met in a foreign country
   15. You actually enjoy seeing your friends’ vacation photos
   16. You have the double-sized 32 page passport
   17. You got more excited planning your honeymoon than planning your wedding
   18. You’ve spent more time on TripAdvisor than CNN
   19. You can name 5 Amazing Places to watch the sunset
   20. Your favorite Thai Restaurant, is actually in Thailand
   21. You’ve thought of giving up your amazing job to one that will allow you to travel for free
   22. You work extra hard so that you have more money for more trips
   23. You re-consider having pets as it may affect your ability to travel
   24. When you haven’t travelled in 3 months, you start getting antsy and think your lie is B-O-R-I-N-G!
   25. You don’t get jealous when your friends post about their new car, but you do when they post a pic of them frolicking in Greece
   26. You can’t name the 5 members of One Direction, but you have heard of countries like Myanmar, Mongolia, Morocco, Georgia, and Laos
   27. Your friends know it’s better to email you for travel tips and ideas than use Google
   28. You know that Ottawa is not a city in Japan
   29. You love your family but you will only spend Christmas vacation or Thanksgiving vacation with them. The other holiday is for traveling somewhere.
   30. You’d rather do Paris the City, than Paris Hilton
   31. When you’re deciding where to go for your vacation, it feels like Sophie’s Choice.
   32. You have ridden a horse, an elephant, and a camel
   33. Your screensaver is a gorgeous landscape photo, not of Jake Gyllenhaal.
   34. You’re most happiest when you’re on the road.
   35. You couldn’t care less that Kim Khardashian and Kanye got together, but if airlines merge …. Oh, you try to get all the facts!!!!
   36. You know what Global Entry and Priority Pass are, in fact, you’re a member
   37. You know more about a plane’s configuration than your own car
   38. You know how to say “Thank You” in more than 5 languages
   39. You learn that your friend just bought a $1,500 purse, you’re thinking “God, I’d rather use that money for a trip to Bali.”
   40. You can’t name the past 5 US presidents but can name at least 40 US states
   41. Your hottest sex experience, is with a foreigner
   42. The only time you pray is before each flight “God, I hope I get upgraded!!!! PLEASE!!!!”
   43. 90% of your junk mail are from travel-related websites
   44. You absolutely hate airline food by now
   45. You judge people who travel with super large suitcases. You think they’re crazy.
   46. At the airport, you have a favorite sitting area and you know where all the charging stations are.
   47. You know that Bellagio is not just a hotel in Vegas
   48. Given the choice, you would rather hug a koala than Hugh Jackman
   49. You may not remember where you put your car keys, but you know exactly where your passport is.
   50. You actually have a bucket list.

If you are a Travelholic, join our support group NOW! We meet at the Airport Executive Lounge every first Friday of the month! See you there! 

(Share in the comments below how you scored!)

What are you looking to do on your vacation? Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, adventure, beach & sun, casinos, fabulous resort, family trip, relaxation, spas, architectural wonders, ancient cities, skiing, food tripping or shopping, there are many amazing options for all interests and budgets.

Perhaps one of these images I took from around the world can help you decide where to spend your vacation. (Not in any particular order)

 

1) ROME, ITALY: Pilgrimage, museums and great food

 

2) BALI, INDONESIA: Fabulous (and inexpensive) hotels/villas, spas, family getaway and relaxing vacation

 

3) VENICE, ITALY: Romantic getaway and great food

 

4) LAKE LOUISE, CANADA: Picturesque landscape, road trip, hiking and majestic mountains

 

5) NAPA, CALIFORNIA: Great wine and cuisine and beautiful scenery

 

6) PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES: Beaches, snorkeling, family trip, and diving

7) LONDON, ENGLAND: Architecture, history and art

 

8) MARRAKESH, MORROCO, : Adventure, fabulous hotels and landscape

 

9) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA : Wonderful shopping, cool restaurants and landmarks

 

10) RONDA, SPAIN: Great weather, architecture, and breathtaking mountains and beaches

 

11) CARMEL, CALIFORNIA: Dramatic shoreline, world-famous golf, and spas

 

12) CANCUN. MEXICO : Adventure, parties, beautiful beaches and pyramids

 

13) LAKE COMO, ITALY : Outlet shopping, picturesque lakes and alps, wonderful architecture

 

14) ZURICH, SWITZERLAND: Picturesque city, great people watching and beautiful lakes

 

15) SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Hot surfers, great beaches and party town!

 

16) SALZBURG, AUSTRIA: Beautiful town, quaint shops, charming architecture and history

 

17) BEIJING, CHINA: Great Wall of China and Olympic Village, and culture

 

18) GRAND CANYON, NEVADA : Nature, landscape, road trip and family trip

 

19) SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA: Adventure, cultural immersion, religious trip and relaxation

 

 

20) OIA, GREECE: Breathtaking landscape, beach, sailing, food trip and relaxation

My friend Mark was celebrating a milestone birthday and to commemorate this special occasion, he rented an entire chateau in Durdogne in South of France for his 10 closest friends. He has come up with a lot of crazy ideas in the course of our 12 year friendship- but this was the best idea EVER!

The chateau is managed by the prestigious Château de la Treyne.  It is located in a very quiet part of the countryside perched on a hill overlooking Durdogne. The setting is quite extraordinary. This chateau is also the ideal base from which to set off and explore this fascinating region of France.  We rented a couple of cars and explored wineries, caves, and quaint villages in the course of 7 days.

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