Palo Alto Bed and Breakfast: a Charming Abode Tucked in a Forest | Puerto Princesa

November 29, 2014

The email popped into my inbox delivering an invitation to  review a place called Palo Alto Bed and Breakfast in Puerto Princesa, Palawan came at the most opportune of time, because me and my girlfriend Monnette have been planning for a trip somewhere. Puerto Princesa in Palawan presenting itself as an option was a definitive 'Yes!' moment. Plus, the chance to witness her experience the subterranean river for the first time makes the trip more meaningful. 

James Betia

Dhobi Ghat Mumbai, India: Airing Your Dirty Laundry Here is Perfectly OK

November 21, 2014

In the song "Black Water" by the Doobie Brothers, Patrick Simmons sings about a trip he made to Uptown New Orleans to have his laundry done "Well if it rains, I don't care - Don't make no difference to me, Just take that street car that's goin' uptown". In a totally unrelated matter to the aforementioned American rock band, In the well known open air laundromat called the Dhobi Ghat, the similarly sounding Dhobis - a caste group in India known to work primarily as clothes-washers, can be seen anytime of the day washing and hanging dirty clothes along a  gigantic laundry space complete with wash pens and flagging stones. 

DSC_9468

Missing the Rustic Charm of my Colonial Home in Galle, Sri Lanka – Villa Templeberg

November 19, 2014

It was around lunch time just as the sun was at its peak when I got off from the tuktuk at the roadside fronting a small hill. I followed my hastily written direction jotted down on a torn paper that led me to a spiral trail leading to the top of a coconut plantation tucked inside a forest—to where I assumed the Templeberg Villa is perched. The 3-hour train ride from Colombo left me with high spirits as I enjoyed every bit of scenery along the way. But along came with it; a weary body screaming for a soft bed and a short nap before I begin my exploration of the city of Galle. I hiked a couple hundred meters and while on the verge of huffing and puffing I saw a man by the door near a sign that says Villa Templeberg. He waved at me and gestured something until he disappeared inside. 

Villa Templeberg
My Spacious Room at Villa Templeberg