Going around Kuwait City

At least from what I know, whenever the men's football national team travels to another country, they usually visit the Philippine Embassy for a courtesy call. So it was not different in Kuwait. It also gave us a chance to see how our officials help our countrymen abroad and the programs they have in place. It was also great meeting other people. The gulf coast country by the way is really beautiful and fully modern (in spite of the darn heat). 

Aside from embassies, another staple of country life is checking out the local mall/s. In this case we went to The Avenues Mall and the Marina Mall in Kuwait City. This is the former and check out how spacious it is. They seem to have everything save for two stores -- a big and stocked book specialty store and a music/DVD shoppe. Those are the two shops I always look for when I go abroad. The funny thing is at Kuwait International Airport, they have a shop there that still sells cassette tapes! For real.

These Kuwaitis were asking me about Philippine football and they predicted a blowout. Of course I disagreed (little did I know...).

The Shake Shack. You can see how this is real popular along with ice cream retailers because of the heat. But Kuwait is so Western in appearance. Wanted to buy a shake but the lines were really long in the two shacks I went to.

Look who's endorsing KFC? And what does that slim can of soda say (if ya know).

At the Movenpick Hotel in Kuwait City

Staying at the Movenpick Hotel in Bida'a, Salmiya District of Kuwait City. It's a five-star Swiss hotel (and there are two of the sort here in Kuwait). It's a gorgeous hotel with fantastic service. That's me posing outside and just below the sign. There's wifi everywhere in the hotel, dudes.

The back of the hotel that faces the beachfront of the Arabian Sea. I really wonder how people can hang outside in the heat. But I guess it works for some.

Me by the beach and walking about at 6am during my third day at the hotel. Love the sunrise!

There's an area for beach volleyball just outside the dining area. Somehow seeing the chair with "Lifeguard" stenciled on it reminds me of Baywatch. Was waiting for Pamela Sue Anderson to come running from the water in a bright red swimsuit. What I got were a bunch of them -- of the local kind but no less vivacious!

Thought that shooting pics this early in the day will give me some unusual light colors to play around with. I was just using a digital camera and the result wasn't so bad.

Kuala Lumpur trip July 2011

In Malaysia for the Liverpool Asia Tour 2011. Malaysia is full modern and a beautiful country. Just feels so good to be traveling again. Kinda miss it. And of course when you're here, how can you not go to the Petronas Towers?

From where I am staying in Jalan Imbi, I can spot the Petronas Towers. It's not actually a close walk. It's about at least 30 minutes of walking. I could take the monorail but not at this point. Walking's the order of the day.

Dinner during my first night here at KL with good friend Ariel Vanguardia was at Nasi Ayam Hainan Chef Meng. Chicken rice with veggies and siomai. After dinner, met up with other Pinoy Liverpool fans (Leo, Mika and Mich) and Coach Ariel and I accompanied them for street dining at Alor Street.

 Milk Tea after the Liverpool event at the Pavilion. We all went to the Petronas Towers  and Suria Mall afterwards.

What an incredible and humorous name for a store. This is at Suria KLCC mall. I just had to ham it up.

Petronas Towers at night and after a downpour with some thunder. Just like the Empire State Building in New York and the Hong Kong Symphony of Lights, it's just beautiful.

At Sofitel Manila

On duty as Media Officer for the Sri Lanka-Philippines World Cup Qualifying Match on July 3, 2011 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. It's a lot of work but it's fun. Except when you have media people who do things last minute. One of the perks is staying in a cool hotel -- the Sofitel Manila. And this one here is my room. And I got the whole place to myself! It's nice, spacious, and really comfortable. And it's got a huge television too. Only I don't watch too much of it myself. I spend a lot of my time writing.

I've got a nice view of the Manila Film Center from my room and balcony. I know it's a spooky place but is it still? Once took part of a film shoot with the MFC as the venue. It was a cameo role with a very short speaking part. Honestly, thinking about it makes me cringe. Hahaha!