Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Part 2: Day 1 in Bali


Hey guys! I'm back for my second post on our first day in Bali. There's no reason to waste time so we managed to visit most tourist spots and still enjoy the beach. You can't say you had a vacation in Bali without visiting the beach. I'll show you our beach adventures on my next post so keep in touch!
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Our next stop is the Uluwatu, one of the oldest temple in Bali. Religious groups make pilgrimage in Uluwatu during the three or five-day odalan anniversary where they commemorate the temple's consecration. The Hindus in Bali give their offerings and begin their worship as they place incense sticks on the canang. Canang, a small tray made of coconut leaves, is filled with rice, flowers, fruits and sometimes biscuits. You'll see canang, not only in temples but everywhere in Bali -houses, business centers, seashores and even sidewalks as these have been their daily offerings to their God.  Since odalan is the temple's birthday, expect a festive atmosphere. Uluwatu has also become a famous tourist spot because of its location as it is set on a limestone cliff above the majestic waters. We felt tired after walking the long trail under the scorching sun but it paid off after we reached the edge of the cliff and watched the scenic sunset.
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They will make your rent their sarongs if you're not wearing proper attire (bottoms should be below the knees).
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There's a small forest called Alas Kekeran and  is inhabited by a number of monkeys. They're actually tame but be wary of your things because these naughty creatures are fond of stealing tourists'stuff. Eyeglasses, hats and key chains are their favorites. You would be surprised on how adept and fast they are; we even saw one monkey snatched a slipper. Hold on tightly to your stuff, otherwise, make sure you have something edible with you. They return things in exchange for food. Now, what is clever?!
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The next perfect place to go and have dinner is Jimbaran Bay. After a few-minute drive from Uluwatu,  you'll get to see beachfront seafood restaurants where you can buy seafood in kilo and have it cooked in your preferred way. Sounds like our dampa in the Philippines. Fire dance and Kecak dance will leave you entertained while waiting for food to be served. Good food, cool breeze, picturesque beach and awesome company- who would not call this night perfect?
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I haven't blogged about on how to pack your stuff when traveling in a tropical country like Jakarta. I may not be able to do so but I would love to give some advice about the importance of planning. No matter how long and where you are having your vacation, make sure you never fail to plan. Though it sometimes seems fun to go with the flow and get lost in time, it will still be enjoyable and at the same time, practical, if you stick with your schedule. We actually missed the sunset in Tanah Lot, one the most famous scenic views to watch out while in Bali, because we stayed more time in the gold jewelry workplace and rice terraces. Also, planning will keep your trip hassle-free as you will learn what to anticipate.

With travel blogs and search engines, it becomes convenient to gain information and feedback about various tourist spots, helping you to decide which are to include in your itinerary. You'll find out which places and experiences are worth to venture while there are some that you can postpone especially if there's time constraint.

Thanks for reading! Make sure you have read the part one of my post.

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Thursday, January 17, 2013

UST Paskuhan 2012 x Outfit Post

Paskuhan is one of the most anticipated event held annually in the University of Santo Tomas that bring Thomasians together in commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The event usually starts in the afternoon and ends at midnight. There are parades, talented student performers, popular OPM bands and singers, booths and raffles. The lavish fireworks display is the best thing to see during the event and it just makes us more excited of what will show on the next Paskuhan. I'm already an alumni and with the experiences and friends the university gave me, it just feels so good to be back especially at times like this.

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2012's theme was Disney movies; Brave
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Frog Princess
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with Shirley, Apple, Trisha and Adly
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While some girls were wearing skirts and strutting in high heels and booties, I chose to look my best in street style. The previous years were different wherein my friends and I tended to dress up but this time, I thought about myself comfortably sitting on the grasslands while watching the show. With good-fitting shirt and jeans, one can still look her best without sacrificing comfort. I just wore gold-toned shoes and accessories to make it not the usual casual.    
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Sometimes, minimalism seems to be enough. What do you think of this look? Hype it here!

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Rocawear shades
Ann Taylor Loft shirt

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Fucda watch

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Kate Landry bag

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Wrangler pants.
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Cole Vintage shoes

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Photos are from my instagram and Adly Velasco. If you're still not following me on instagram, here it goes: instagram/giancarlatolentino

Still finishing all my backlogs so just keep in touch! :D


Friday, January 11, 2013

Day 1: Getting to Know the Balinese Culture

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After a day in Jakarta, we flew to Bali, a leading tourist destination known for its beauty and rich culture. Filled with excitement, we thought about island hopping but the one island that we wanted to visit is too distant and would take much of our time. We also thought about going to Ketut, the fortune teller in the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" but we had to give up that destination since it's too far from the place we stayed. Despite that, we had the most of our vacation and I'll tell you, there's a lot to marvel in Bali.
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If there's one thing that made me love Bali a few minutes after we set foot on the island, it's their Chicken Satay! The succulent dish is quite spicy yet  too delicious especially when dipped in peanut sauce. I'm really fond of spicy food so even though most Balinese dishes are new to us, I find them really appetizing.
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Babi Guling, also known as suckling pig is a roasted pig stuffed with spices. Ubud, Bali is famous for it and most tourists would not leave the island without trying this specialty.

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20-meter  tall copper statue of Wisnu
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Lotus Pond
We headed first to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park which is a few minutes drive from the airport. The tourist attraction didn't only leave us mesmerized of its vast expanse and towering statues but it also showed how the Balinese are able to preserve and cultivate their heritage.

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Statue of Wisnu
The statue of Wisnu is an illustration of their God. Known as the source of wisdom, they also believe that He is their creator and caretaker.

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Statue of Garuda
Garuda is a giant bird that serves as Wisnu's companion and transportation. It symbolizes freedom  and selfless devotion.

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We savored our time looking at these huge dramatic rocks. Very picturesque.

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Gotta emote a little
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With Adly
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With Den
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Gamelan, Indonesian traditional musical instruments

Before finally leaving the place, we were able to watch their cultural show. It's a series of traditional dances, showcasing the rich culture and strong religion of the Balinese.
 
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After the show, we had a chance to take photos with the performers and try their instruments.
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When I first saw this creature, i thought it's similar to the Chinese dragon but it's actually a half dog, half lion. The mystical creature named Barong, is said to be the Lord of the forest and protector of the Balinese villages.
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Barong Dance
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These two ladies performed the Legong dance which is characterized by facial expressions and intricate finger movements. These finger movements or dancing fingers later became a technique in massaging, another thing Bali is famous for. I'll be blogging a separate detailed post about the cultural dance and the story behind it.

That's the part one of our first day in Bali. I hope you had fun! I have more to share so just keep in touch. :)

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Saturday, January 5, 2013

My Universe Will Never Be The Same

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Happy New Year Everyone! Let go of all grudges you have been holding and focus on positive aspects of life. Let mistakes be a lesson for you but don't let them imprison you in the past. Learn to appreciate those who have always been there for you and as for those who are bringing you down, better yet make them your motivation. All I'm saying is that another year has passed and let's all look forward to a better life this 2013. The memories collected along the way will never vanish and we still have a great tomorrow ahead of us to create and cherish new memories.
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If you're wondering about the title of my post, I had it from the song "Glad You Came" by The Wanted. It has nothing to do with the whole song but I just want to emphasize a few lyrics: "My Universe Will Never be The Same, I'm Glad You Came". The song has a complete different meaning but somehow, I can relate these lines to those people who have been a part of me. I could never be the Gian I am now in this world, in this universe, without them. I'm not always good with words especially if emotions are involved but I'm really thankful for having them in my life and again, I'm glad they came and still continue to be there for me. Before I could be too dramatic, the second reason about this title is quite too obvious- hello, the skirt. :D
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Before galaxy prints hit the shelves a few months ago, I already saw and was amazed of some bloggers clad in these cosmic wear. The various rich colors of nebula that diffuse and glow beautifully are quite enticing. The tiny details of stars and swirls of light make these prints appear more natural. Although I had a vague knowledge of how the galaxy prints and similar trends started, I found it really creative to use concrete illustrations of nature in designing fabric. The previous year can attest to that, seeing abundant clothes with variety of prints like murals, beach, floral and fauna. There must be a lot of 2012 fashion must-haves but isn't it just makes us more excited to see which styles we're going to embrace and keep this 2013?
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Gecko Hawaii Top
I thought about pairing this skirt with a black sheer top but I already saw a lot with the same look. Print on print is so usual nowadays and few people could pull it off so I thought of something fun and quirky. Adly and I have same peg in wearing our galaxy skirts. Both of us opted cartoon tops except that I played with colors that are not within the color scheme of my skirt.
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Medley Skirt
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Advan Sneakers
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