So let me go pretend to be a bad-ass travel blogger and show you guys my trip to Kek Lok Si Temple today. 

Backstory: I woke up around 2pm, and I didn’t want to waste a perfectly good day in  foreign country, so I randomly started bugging everyone in the AIESEC house to go to Kek Lok Si Temple, I really didn’t know what I’d find there, I heard there were cable cars and that was pretty much it. Cable cars. Yeah, my decisions in life are fueled by trivial things such as cable cars. With a little convincing, and quick glance at our ever helpful Lonely Planet Guide to Malaysia, we decided to grab quick lunch at the nearby McDonald’s and head to Kek Lok Si.

We rode two Rapid busses to reach our destination, one from Sugai Dua (where we live) - Jetty terminal, then another one from the Jetty terminal - Air Itam, this cost us 2 MYR a ride (roughly 15 PHP), not bad eh? 

When we got there, we were greeted by this sight…. and I instantly knew my random let’s-go-to-Kek-Lok-Si-on-a-whim was a good idea. TEEHEE.

The long run (‘cause it was getting kinda late) to the top was lined with shops and trinkets to lure the typical tourist on a souvenir shopping spree, but my friends and I were determined to make it before closing time at 6. I took all my gym workouts on a stepmaster to good use, with the additional burden of my pretty-but-painful-semi-wedges. Meh. 

But then when you’re welcomed by an entrance like this, that wouldn’t be much of a problem, would it? :>

Still there was no slowing down for us, and we went up to the entrance before closing time. When we got there, I was especially impressed with this long line of statues. You could really see all the the work that went into making the temple. Wow!

Up until there, I was wondering where exactly was the entrance since I haven’t paid a single cent yet, so clearly I haven’t been to the main attraction of the temple. (what capitalist logic I have.hihi) We finally found the entrance, and we only paid 2 MYR for the entrance fee. BOOYEAH! :> That’s pretty cheap considering we paid 25 MYR for the Khoo Kongsi Clanhouse which was smaller and less grandiose than Kek Lok Si. 

There, we saw the main altar of the temple

The balcony 

A view of the Pagoda and the main building from the balcony 

Random picture of me with a stunning view of the city in the background. HIHI

Being the adventurous rascals that we were, my friend and I decided to climb the 7-story high pagoda, even if it was closing time already (haha!). Every level is decorated differently, each level getting smaller as we reach the top. 

This was the altar in the 2nd level of the pagoda :)

from the balcony of the pagoda 

A side view of the altar on the topmost level

Bird’s eye view of Kek Lok Si 

Apparently, the Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy statue is only accessible by cable cars, yes, cable cars, the reason why I wanted to go to Kek Lok Si in the first place. Alas, a friendly monk I randomly talked to said the lift closes at 5:30, so we didn’t get to ride the oh-so important cable cars since it was already about 6:30. Still, the statue looked stunning from afar.

When we went down from the pagoda, I bought one of the wishing ribbons in the prayer area. Of course, I picked the pink ribbon for safety of the family. 

So that pretty much ends my trip to Kek Lok Si Temple, the best Temple I’ve been to in Malaysia so far. Will definitely go back soon to get that much coveted cable car ride. Haha! Will try to go earlier next time.

‘til my next aventure! ;) 

Cheers!

In Brasov, infront of Biserica Neagra (the Black Church)—that’s me holding a map btw

During my internship interview for RBS Romania, I accidentally let it slip that I have a penchant for getting lost, which then made them hesitate to send me to a different continent.

Then they asked, “So, if another applicant with the same credentials as you make it to the final cut and that person has a better sense of direction, who do you think deserves the internship?” (in retrospect, I think they wanted me to give way and say that the other person deserves it more)

But then I surprised them by saying, “The internship should go to me, because I would probably get lost, but by getting lost I learn and I grow — why give the internship to someone who doesn’t need it? Expanding your limits,

I think that’s what the internship is all about.”

PS. I just really wanna travel right now. So much to see, so much to know. :)

Pictures by Forest Candelaria, in Brasov, Romania

WARNING: SUPER PICTURE-HEAVY POST.

I created this blog for one reason — to document my internship in Romania.

But alas, all the excitement of being in a different country (or maybe it was the late night drinking) eventually made me forget about blogging. However, as I went through my albums, I felt the need to share my photos simply because the beauty of a country like Romania’s feels like a secret that should definitely be shared to the world. 

So here are some of my favorite landscape shots —- though I have a number of pretty portrait shots as well (or at least the ones I could recall at the top of my head):

Oradea (my home for two months <3):

Valea Draganului — wohooo camping trip:

(note: Vince and I are the first Filipinos who went here! Wooohooo! Special!)

Brasov:

The gist of this is simply… I miss Romania! :) The places, the friends, the weather, the food and most of all, the internet connection! HAHA.

I feel so blessed to have seen places most people would never see in their entire lives at the age of 18. Teehee :”>

Lucky me.

:)