WHERE MY FEET BROUGHT ME IN 2013

It takes a formidable spirit to endure 2013.  From the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan, earthquake and armed conflict in our country, The Philippines, to my personal adversities, we could either dwell on tragedy and misery or choose to rise, become better, and move on. The results will always depend on our decisions.

Yet in so many ways, I consider 2013 as one of my most blessed years. There are so much reasons to celebrate and be grateful for! I was privileged to set foot in few countries that brought me priceless memories and worthwhile experiences. I was fortunate to be invited to some of the luxurious hotels and restaurants in Malaysia, Singapore and Manila. The year was also kind in providing this blog, recognition, online features and citations.

With this photo-essay, allow me to relive and share once more, where my feet took me in 2013. Everything in 2013 reminded me that every moment counts, every step matters. I’m counting blessings.

JANUARY 2013 : CHIANG MAI,  THAILAND

Ringed Beauty, published on July/August 2012 Lonely Planet Magazine Asia
60
13
50
kids in chiang mai
2
ANS_5928

FEBRUARY 2013 : LANGKAWI, KEDAH  &  PENANG, MALAYSIA 

10
16
LANGKAWI, KEDAH, MALAYSIA : Our Days in Cenang & Tengah Beaches, Langkawi

Also in February 2013, I was able to blog a Mini-Travel-Guide to George Town, Penang…

ANS_8577
FEBRUARY 2013 : Mini Guide to George Town, Penang : A UNESCO World Heritage Site

MARCH  2013 : KUALA LUMPUR  &  PENANG, MALAYSIA

gabby donating his clothes and toys
MARCH 2013 : Charity Work with Gabby & Malaysian Bloggers in 3 Orphanages in Penang

BEST EXPAT BLOG AWARD MITBCA 2013
MARCH 2013 : 2013 Ministry of Tourism Malaysia’s Best Expat Blog Award Winner

APRIL 2013  :  MALACCA, MALAYSIA  &  SINGAPORE

25
APRIL 2013 : Random Memories, Happy Thoughts from Melaka

MAY 2013 : SINGAPORE  &  PENANG, MALAYSIA

ANS_7940
MAY 2013 : Singapore River Safari

ANS_7525
MAY 2013 : River Safari, Night Safari & Singapore Flyer :  Courtesy of iVenture Card, Singapore
63
MAY 2013 :  Chowrasta Road & Market

JUNE 2013 : MALACCA, MALAYSIA  &  SINGAPORE

ANS_0207
JUNE 2013 :  Mods Cafe Melaka
ANS_7656
JUNE 2013 : Singapore Night Safari

ANS_7279
JUNE 2013 : Singapore Flyer & More

AUGUST 2013 :  KATHMANDU,  BHAKTAPUR,  PATAN, NAGARKOT,  NEPAL

00000
2
00
37
31
9
26
16
28
34
17

*Nepal Blog Series includes :

SEPTEMBER 2013 :  MANILA,  PHILIPPINES

30
SEPTEMBER 2013  : Back in Manila

OCTOBER 2013 :  PENANG, MALAYSIA

1
george town, penang, malaysia
may 9 2013 743pm thursday
OCTOBER 2013 : How Do You Say Goodbye To Malaysia

NOVEMBER 2013 : SINGAPORE

ANS_5226
NOVEMBER 2013 :  Gardens By The Bay Revisited Singapore

DECEMBER 2013 : MANILA, THE PHILIPPINES

ANS_8243
DECEMBER : 2013 Grand Marian Procession, Intramuros, Manila

SPONSORED STAYCATIONS  2013 : PENANG, SINGAPORE, MALACCA, KUALA LUMPUR

I am also thankful to all people who invited me and my family to complimentary hotel accomodation in Malaysia and Singapore this year. I cannot  be grateful enough! Many thanks to :

  • Eastin Hotel Penang, Malaysia
  • Ibis Hotel on Bencoolen, Singapore
  • Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang, Malaysia
  • Quayside Hotel & Halia Inc. Restaurant, Malacca, Malaysia
  • The Elizabeth Hotel, Singapore
  • Orchard Parade Hotel, Singapore
  • Somerset Serviced Residences, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ANS_1497
MARCH 2013 : Eastin Hotel Penang
21
MAY 2013 : Singapore : Ibis Hotel on Bencoolen
ANS_5736
MAY 2013 : Heritage Wing of E&O Hotel Penang

8
30
eastern & oriental hotel penang at docgelo.com
MAY 2013 : Corner Suite, Victory Annexe Wing, E&O Hotel Penang

ANS_9605
JUNE 2013 : Quayside Hotel & Halia Restaurant Coffee Bar, Malacca

ANS_4710
OCTOBER 2013 : Elizabeth Hotel, Singapore

ANS_5602
OCTOBER 2013 : Orchard Parade Hotel Singapore
14
OCTOBER 2013 : Somerset Serviced Residence, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

COMPLIMENTARY FOOD INDULGENCE : PENANG, SINGAPORE, MANILA

I’m also grateful to the people who sent invitations from restaurants and a few good friends in Penang, Singapore and Manila. Thank you very much to :

  • Macalister Mansion, Penang
  • Sarkies, Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang
  • 1885, Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang
  • Dinner Treat by Dennis in Hakumai & Omakase, Antoinette, Singapore.
  • Swez Brasserie, Eastin Hotel Penang
  • Beringer Wines and Cirkulo Restaurant, Makati City
  • Silk Thai Road, BGC, Taguig City
  • Burger Company, Quezon City
  • Dinner Treats from my Malaysian families in Penang – Mr. Michael & Jasmine, and Mr. Loh & family
  • Lunch & Dinner Treat by great friends, Rob & LG
  • Harina Artisan Bakery & Cafe, Quezon City
  • Sentro 1771, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City

ANS_0963
ANS_1005
Torchon of Foie Gras, Crumble, Gastrique Pearls
MARCH 2013 : Macalister Mansion : Tobreck Vertical Wine Dinner
19
MARCH 2013 : Sarkies’ Seafood Buffet Dinner Extravaganza, E&O Hotel Penang
ANS_5962
ANS_5906
MAY 2013 : 1885 : Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang’s Fine Dining Restaurant

ANS_8033
ANS_8046
MAY 2013 :  Singapore : Hakumai Sushi & Omakase | Antoinette French Desserts

46
JULY 2013 : Wine & Dine Buffet Dinner at Sarkies, E&O Hotel, Penang
ANS_1517
JULY 2013 : Ramadan Buffet at Eastin Hotel Penang

41
OCTOBER 2013 : Farewell Dinner at Sarkies,E&O Hotel Penang
ANS_4624
NOVEMBER 2013 : Two Dinners Hosted by My Malaysian Families

seafood pizza, chelsea
NOVEMBER 2013 : Lunch & Dinner Treats from Great Friends of 20 Years & Counting
ANS_7849
ANS_7901
NOVEMBER 2013 : Beringer Wines at Cirkulo Restaurant, Makati City

ANS_8009
ANS_8008
NOVEMBER 2013 : Finest Thai Food at Silk Road, BGC
ANS_7185
NOVEMBER 2013 : Burger Company, Quezon City

ANS_8092
DECEMBER 2013 : Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe, Quezon City

ANS_8914
DECEMBER 2013 : Sentro 1771 Serendra, BGC

  • Special thanks goes out to Malaysia Airlines for sponsoring our family’s PEN-KUL-KTM roundtrip tickets!

Apart from the Best Expat Blog Award from Ministry of Tourism Malaysia for two consecutive years, 2013 also brought me a few more citations and priceless things that boost my self-esteem. Again, many thanks to those few people who believe in this blog.

PINOY TRAVEL BLOGGERS
And fortunately, for the second time, one of the photos I took in Chiang Mai, Thailand was published in 4 pages of the esteemed travel magazine, Lonely Planet Asia last  July 2013.

1
JULY 2013 : My Travel Photo Published on 4 Pages of Lonely Planet Asia Magazine

Looking back, no superlatives will be appropriate to describe the places I’ve been to and the people I’ve met. No volume of photos will ever be enough to express the good and bad memories of the journeys I took. Everything and everyone provided me life lessons generously.

docgelo kathmandu nepal

Twenty thirteen has been like no other, yet through it all, one thing remains the same. I opt not to dwell in negative things and be more hopeful for tomorrow. It’s incredibly ecstatic to wonder where my feet will take me in the coming years.

  May we all have a Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

>><<

PTB Blog Carnival

*This is my entry to Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival

for the month of December 2013 entitled,

“The Pinoy Travel Bloggers Closing the Curtains on 2013: Love, Learn and Living”

hosted by Brenna Bustamante of

The Philippine Travelogue.

>><<

51 thoughts on “WHERE MY FEET BROUGHT ME IN 2013”

  1. Grabe ka doc! From food to hotel to magazine! Not to mention the award! What a year for you doc…

    By the way epic talaga yung pic ng girl sa Nepal just like all your pics!

    More power sir and see you around 😉

    Reply

  2. wow! what a round up Doc. Blessed year indeed!
    Excellent Photos as always. Favorite ko ung Nepal!!!

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Doc!
    Here’s to more trips for 2014!

    Safe Travels 🙂

    Reply

    1. hi riz, maligayang pasko din at manigong bagong taon!

      saan ang lamyerda ngayong pasko dyan sa malaysia or out of the borders ka ulit?

      hope to meet you when i get a chance to set foot again there in the near future 🙂

      more travels and adventures to you too!

      God bless!

      Reply

  4. Greetings of Peace of Mind and Joy of Heart this Christmas and through the coming New Year.

    Your 2013 was jampacked with travels and eating. Here’s to more blessings in the coming year.

    Reply

  5. Your feet brought you to so many wonderful places in 2013! If you continue to take good care of them, they’ll take you to many more places in 2014 and beyond. Keep shooting and traveling and don’t get tired sharing your adventures with us. Merry Christmas!

    Reply

    1. Thank you very much for your kind words, Sir Bert (allow me to call you, Sir, Christmas naman po, hehe!)

      Merry Christmas and a Peaceful 2014, Sir Bert! 🙂

      Reply

  6. Wow, it looks like it has been an awesome year Doc Gelo! Whatever adversaries you are experiencing right now, remember that you’ll only come out of it stronger than before. Merry Christmas Doc!

    Reply

  7. What a year! You definitely had a great 2013, doc! Sending you my well and warm wishes that 2014 will be as fabulous or even greater than your 2013. God bless you! ❤

    Reply

    1. hi shugah,

      apparently i had one of my greatest years and experienced worst moments too. i’m not complaining, rather thankful for all the blessings! cest la vie!

      maligayang pasko din at manigong bagoong taon sa ating lahat! 😀

      Reply

    1. thanks, jun! you might also meet that 14-year-old nepalese beauty, kareeshma in bhaktapur when you visit nepal next year. she lives within the vicinity of bhaktapur durbar square.

      again, many thanks for the wishes! i know you had a blast with christmas celebration in singapore! have a wonderful and happier 2014 to all of us!

      Reply

    1. Hi Gay! I hope so too! But I want a photo-op with baby doll, Luna! hehehe!
      2013 as mentioned in this post has been my toughest but I’d rather count blessings rather than disappointments and negative issues.
      We’re all blessed in various ways! Cheers to more God’s blessings this new year & beyond! 🙂

      Reply

  15. I am in awe with your brilliant year-ender post, Doc Gelo! Truly enriching not just for travelers like me, but for everyone as well. Ang Galing! I wish I could get the chance to see all the places that you’ve been to real soon.

    I’m also glad that I got to meet you in person, even for a brief moment. Next year longer hang out perhaps? 🙂

    Happy New Year! 🙂

    Reply

    1. happy new year, mai! i seriously hit rock bottom this year but God empowers me to move on.
      without our forgiving & merciful Lord, there’d be nothing.
      so let’s keep our faith to a more blessed & happier 2014!
      cheers to more travels & memories to cherish! 🙂

      oh, and happy to meet you too with all our fellows!

      Reply
  16. Pingback: The Pinoy Travel Bloggers Closing the Curtains on 2013: Love, Learn and Living | The Philippine Travelogue

  18. You’ve travelled a lot Doc in 2013 Inggit ako hahaha.

    Anyway, wishing all the happiness coz you truly deserve them. Thanks for the trust and friendship 🙂

    Happy New Year!!!

    Reply

  19. “every moment counts, every step matters. I’m counting blessings.” –> I totally agree! The small things do matter.

    Congrats on your 2013 and may you have a bright and adventure-filled 2014! =)

    Reply

    1. maraming salamat! we’re all blessed in various ways!
      ikinagagalak ko po kayong makilala sampu ng ating mga kasamahan sa blogging!
      happy new year! 😀

      Reply

  24. cant take my eyes off all your lovely pictures! love them ❤ may 2014 brings more fortunes to you and your family 🙂
    all the best docgelo!

    Reply

    1. it’s always a pleasure when my former students drop by here and leave comments on my humble (but long) blog posts! i really appreciate your words, hidayah!

      kindly give my warm (i know it’s still winter there in ireland, or wherever you’re having your breaks) greetings to the rest of my beloved malaysian students! you guys never fail to make me proud!

      please include me in your prayers!
      terima kasih 🙂

      Reply

Leave a reply to Jherson Jaya Cancel reply