Eye Will Eat You Alive

Chek Lap Kok Airport

Hongkong

While waiting for our flights, we were glued to the TV. Nobody blinked. It was CNN’s breaking news about bloodied freedom fighters in Tibet. But Qing’s sudden burst of anger and spite shocked all of us. His angry eyes could devour all of the protesters and the whole Himalayan region! Where did that came from? was on everybody’s mind. Quite frankly, Qing showed his deep love for China and the integrity of its territory. I never understood patriotism until that time.

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There Can Be Only One

Taipei

Taiwan

It’s ok, because we also have a One-Taiwan policy, says Klaus when asked about his sentiment on America’s One-China policy, which generally states that if you recognize China (mainland), you reject the other (Taiwan). Chiang Kai-shek fled mainland China in 1949 after his nationalist Kuomintang was defeated by the communists, and civil unrest resumed. He retreated to Formosa and established a country now known as Taiwan which China regard as the renegade island. It still has ambitions to bring Taiwan under its communist grip. “I don’t think so” Klaus adamantly protested. “Over our dead bodies!” 

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The Baltic Way

Baltic States

In The Baltic Sea

It started with a few, then grew. Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses is big and significant enough to merit a visit by a Pope. Not to be outshone is Latvia’s Sun Museum, a uniquely charming tourist attraction. Ironically, one of Estonia’s best tourist draws is Meteor Crater Lake, more popularly called - The Sun’s Grave. These Baltic States had their share of bullying from more powerful neighbors. But in 1989, a human chain stretched from Talinn to Riga, to Vilnius – and over 2 million people and 600 kilometers of solidarity started the end of 50 years of forceful Russian annexation.

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Barbers and Homing Pigeons

At a Barbershop
Lucena City

The other guy seated next to me was a fisherman. He said while he was out at sea, a pigeon force-landed and took a ride on his boat and that the bird was starved and exhausted from flying. His barber said matter-of-factly that it was on a race and the bird was on its way back to where it came from. Pigeons instinctively fly back to its loft when let loose at locations that’s why they are called homing pigeons.

Now right. Right what? I asked. Turn right! I did. And the barber started trimming my sideburns.


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Distance In Degrees

South Pole

Antarctica

They were literally inching towards the bottom of the earth in a journey across Antarctica. It’s fascinating to have a glimpse of the team pulled by the dogs creeping down the lines of the globe as Will wrote on December 4, Day 13: “When we made camp last night, we were at 87°14’, today, after traveling 25 miles, we estimate we’re at 87°35’. Sometime tomorrow we should cross south of 88°. The miles and the degrees just keep ticking by.”

At the South Pole, you measure distance in degrees and at the right spot, circle the earth in a few steps….

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The Bridge

Golden Gate
San Francisco

The Golden Gate Bridge is a sight to behold. Immortalized in song and romanticized in films, this icon is much more tragic in reality than its romantic myth as depicted in this sensational documentary The Bridge by filmmaker Eric Steel. Everyday of the year it is painted orange. But as soon as the last square inch of metal is coated, it needed repainting. So next time you pass by Golden Gate, look for telltale signs. You will likely see platforms and ropes, and acrobats in overalls hanging on their harnesses retouching the bridge with a brilliant orange hue….

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Morning Rush

MRT
Manila

The queues were long. We patiently waited in line. But the others will barge in for sure when the train comes. Two old people came in position by the door looking anxious amidst the mob in the morning rush for work. There is no way they can wrestle their way in without physical harm. So, the instant the door opened, I boxed-out, held my position, and let them through first. The flow of commuters pushing their way in swept us all inside. The doors closed; the train moved; and we grabbed the handlebars while turning away from one another.

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Pass Or Fall Bridge

Shot-Dili
Southern Philippines

There used to be a road bridge on the most crooked rough road on the planet on a blind curve spanning a deep, rocky gorge. It's without railings, wooden, narrow and very old. You can see rusty nails sticking out of the planking. As you pass through, you will hear creaking and gasps then sighs as you reach the other end. It’s plain scary. But it’s gone now, replaced by a steel bridge on a spanking 4-way lane highway, nothing like the old country road that it was. Ironically, I missed that rusty, creaking, son-of-a-gun old bridge.
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Carrick-a-Rede Bridge

Rock In The Road, Ballintoy

Northern Ireland

This footbridge is picturesque and dainty on a rocky outcrop by the bay. It connects to tiny Carrick Rock Island. Nice looking, yes? Wait ‘til you cross it. It sways and rattles as the wind tries to blow your wits out of the rope handles that produce howling. Mix this with the sound of crashing waves and you’re transported in time to The Twilight Zone where zombies roam! You will regret taking that first step towards the gaping chasm off the cliff! 

No, don't be chicken! You go and experience it yourself....
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Shirok Sokak

Bitola
Macedonia

Macedonia is still referred to as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Its name remains a contentious issue by Greece protesting that it implied territorial ambitions toward its northern region of Macedonia. Dejan lives in one of its important cities - Bitola, marked by stately old architecture being once the center for international diplomats to the Ottoman Empire and becoming known as the city of the consuls.

We were sipping coffee in Gare du Nord. Dejan said, I do this all the time. What? I asked. Coffee. Where? Shirok Sokak. Where is that? My Macedonia. Your Macedonia? Yes, he said....
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Hot Lake

Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is landlocked, entirely mountainous, and dominated by the Tien Shan range says Ina. It has many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes. It used to be part of the mighty USSR (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) that collapsed in the early 1990s. Ina and I met at a Chinese Temple in Jirisan many years ago in South Korea. She lives in the capital city Bishkek and used to come by an ancient silk road stopover - salty Issyk-kul, a Kyrgyz word for "hot lake" because it never freezes in winter. Come and be prepared for Beshbarmak, she teased.
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Sore Thumb

Paris

France

The 1063-ft Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. The tallest skyscraper Montparnasse located in the outskirts of the city, pales in comparison at 689 feet. From any vantage point, the Eiffel Tower lords over. You can see it from almost any direction. At night, a rotating light on top marks the spot, like a lighthouse at sea. At certain times, state-of-the-art lights illuminate the tower making it sparkle and dazzle. But amidst gothic churches and historic medieval structures made of stones and marble, the 20^th century steel tower seems out of place, almost like a sore thumb!
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Desert Waste

Arizona Desert
Arizona

The desert has a distinct smell. It’s salty and pungent. For miles on end, you will not see anything but cacti and rocks. This lunar landscape made the term desert wastes come into perspective. Along the way were distant mountains looking like huge clay sculptures. They were eerily treeless casting grotesque silhouettes against the setting sun. Except us, the only other things moving were rolling tumbleweeds.

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Sogod Bay

Southern Leyte
Philippines

I was back in Sogod Bay! Hah, this is good diving as it gets! The place is not only blessed with nature's bounty, it is also full of history - Limasawa Island sits there looking at you kid! It has huge potential for tourism. "But the local tourism ad does not even mention there is good diving here", quips Philip who owns a dive resort in Padre Burgos. Sigh.

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