"Lagalag -Filipino wanderer" ann_enc's Profile

It all started in Japan

I arrived in Osaka, in the autumn of 1997 to attend a Global Business Convention. It was all work as a member of an investment marketing delegation. My only chance to appreciate the beauty of Japan is the travel that came in between business meetings as we shuttle to several venues in Osaka and later to a flight to Fukuoka prefecture, all in 10 days, too short for the 90 day diplomatic visa given to us.

Volunteering in Kenya

Doing business with the Maasai Tribe, Kenya

After several years of working for the bureaucracy, I felt like a rusty engine, so I decided it was time to go.

My next move? an out of the country adventure. So when a former colleague brought the idea of international volunteering, I immediately jumped into it.

For 2 years, I lived the Kenyan life. I was a business advisor for a social enterprise providing livelihood to men and women afflicted with HIV and AIDS and other form of disability.

Tracing the Nile in Uganda

enjoying the current in jinja

My volunteer work in Kenya brought me to a lot of places within the country and to nearby Uganda.

I was to put in place, a livelihood program that integrates differently abled persons with HIV and AIDS patients and Uganda has some best practices I can learn from.

I was told my trip wont be complete if I dont trace the White Nile in Jinja.

First African Christmas in Tanzania

Inside the ancient fortress of Zanzibar

With nothing to do during a 2 week break in December 2010, my colleague and I embarked on a 16 hour road trip to Dar es Salaam, the capital of the Republic of Tanzania via West Kenyan town of Eldoret.

Unlike my station, Eldy, Dar-es Salaam is hot and humid in December. Except for the inviting white sands at Boko Beach, and some tour of historic sites, there was the island hop to Zanzibar that made our vacation delightful.

Zanzibar, is very much a part of Tanzania, but when you are in the island you feel in an different place.

Thanking a New Year in Rwanda

at the Kigali Center - Genocide Memorial

On my fourth East African leg, we decided to visit Rwanda - dubbed as the cleanest country in East Africa, still some call it the African Singapore.

Since I dont speak French or Kinyarwandan - the national language of Rwanda, it was the most silent journey I ever had, but the most touching. Here I was able to reflect on the events of 1994, and get to feel the aftermath of a genocide era. God bless Rwanda.

Desert Safari in UAE

a buggy in the dune

Dry but urban, thats how I can describe the UAE. So far I have only been to the Emirate of Dubai and Sharjah, and there are 7 emirates in all.

After my African safari, I decided to try desert safari. Early afternoon from Sharjah, we travelled several hours to the Emirati desert on board luxury SUV.

The 45 minute adrenalin ride was followed by a sumptuous Arabian dinner and a night of belly dancing.

45 degrees in Sudan

Burj Fateh, Khartoum

At 45 degrees Celsius in May 2011, I thought I would collapse in the streets of Khartoum. It was the hottest temp I have encountered in my life. Thank God, I am only there for a week.

People like me with nothing to do but go around, are best advised to start their day at 5pm yes, in the afternoon when the air starts to cool to several degrees lower, and more tolerable.

Having visited Burj Dubai, I decided to check out on its Sudanese twin, the Burj Fateh in the Conrinthian.

A Short Engagement in China

Coming out from a failed trip back to Africa, I jumped at the opportunity to live and work in China for the second half of 2011.

More than the freezing temperature I was to experience in my first Chinese winter, the difficulty of communicating and being understood in English has been a test of patience, every single day.

But unlike any other foreigner in that country, I was always presumed a Chinese by my looks.Thus, I found out that for as long as I dont open my mouth, I am spared from further scrutiny.

Intro Updated Jun 16, 2012
Report Abuse

Personal Pages (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (12)

- Report abuse
AngMimi Dec 24, 2012 at 3:05 AM

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you, Ann and family.
- Report abuse
  ann_enc Dec 29, 2012 at 12:46 AM
  
  hi angmimi, belated happy holidays as well, im unable to actively respond here at vt coz iam currently helping in emergency relief operations here in ph
  regards and thank you
- Report abuse
  AngMimi Jan 2, 2013 at 3:13 AM
  
  Do take good care of yourself. ---@
- Report abuse
CatherineReichardt Dec 23, 2012 at 10:47 PM

Hi Ann
Wishing you, your family and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous and travel-filled New Year!
Cathy
- Report abuse
  ann_enc Dec 29, 2012 at 12:47 AM
  
  Hello Cathy,
  
  its only today i have the opportunity to check vt mail. im currently helping in logistics for emergency relief operations here in ph.
  
  thanks and happy holidays to you and family
  ann
- Report abuse
  CatherineReichardt Dec 31, 2012 at 8:48 AM
  
  Where are you at the moment, Ann?
  I am so glad that there are people like you that do such amazing work, and I hope that you sense the appreciation and support and goodwill for what you do on the part of our family.
  Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful, fulfilling and travel-filled New Year (and let us know if we can ever offer a bed if you're travelled via Johannesburg).
  Regards
  Cathy
- Report abuse
planxty Oct 3, 2012 at 6:06 AM

Hello there and a belated welcome to VT. You have certainly been to some interesting places, I can't wait to see some more of your travel pages. I just spent six months in the Philippines and loved it, where do you live? fergy.
- Report abuse
  ann_enc Oct 11, 2012 at 7:23 PM
  
  hi fergy im currently in cebu, but my house is dwon south philippines. ive lived in the 3 major islands.
Reply
- Report abuse
AngMimi Jul 27, 2012 at 6:18 PM

Happy Birthday Ann --<@
Wishing you happiness today and always.
Reply
- Report abuse
Usctwin Jul 27, 2012 at 10:59 AM

Happy birthday!
Reply
- Report abuse
TrendsetterME Jul 27, 2012 at 5:17 AM

Hey Ann, "Happy Birthday", with all my best wishes .... :)
Reply
- Report abuse
kandoi Jul 27, 2012 at 3:32 AM

Happy Birthday :)
Reply
- Report abuse
CatherineReichardt Jul 27, 2012 at 2:11 AM

Happy birthday Ann, and wishing you a wonderful, travel-filled year ahead!
Regards
Cathy
Reply
- Report abuse
balhannah Jul 27, 2012 at 1:41 AM

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a nice day!
Reply
- Report abuse
June.b Jul 27, 2012 at 1:17 AM

hapi bertdey ann... god bless and sna marami pang byahe ang dumating sa layf mu...ingat!