tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91608540365464658382024-02-01T20:19:31.729-08:00Ultimate Thailand Explorers: Michael & JennyJennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-59500421204412313262010-01-02T21:28:00.001-08:002010-01-02T21:31:14.979-08:00Help Make the Philippines No. 1 for the Ultimate Thailand Explorers!!!<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">
<b>T<span style="background-color: white;">he
Philippines is on 2nd place right now trailing by 2,200 votes against the US Team. Your VOTE can
help make us Number 1! Voters will have a chance to win a $2,500
luxury Thailand package and an HTC Android phone! YOU MAY VOTE
EVERYDAY till Jan.8. Vote once a day until Jan.8!!! Go, Go, Go
Philippines! :) Look at the picture below for the voting procedure. </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bYzDPO484J83VzoFskNS2MfXzc5Wyw3Ecc8QYjqobXNOfoEuTIGpAjGPfxwufKbi6ZCRvkc05ovBsWMdb1fAxlmh5Pv649mnO9RrrFkiXy4xOghCPXZCkfJEPOvNXs46c1pvd-xEgmE/s1600-h/UTE+Voting+Procedure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bYzDPO484J83VzoFskNS2MfXzc5Wyw3Ecc8QYjqobXNOfoEuTIGpAjGPfxwufKbi6ZCRvkc05ovBsWMdb1fAxlmh5Pv649mnO9RrrFkiXy4xOghCPXZCkfJEPOvNXs46c1pvd-xEgmE/s640/UTE+Voting+Procedure.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-45008269729951395102010-01-02T21:26:00.000-08:002010-01-02T21:26:12.340-08:00Ultimate Thailand Explorers Update<div style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">
<b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #f3f3f3;">he Philippines is trailing 2,200 votes against the US Team. Your VOTE can help make us Number 1! Voters will have a chance to win a $2,500 luxury Thailand package and an HTC Android phone! YOU MAY VOTE EVERYDAY till Jan.8. Vote once a day until Jan.8!!! Go, Go, Go Philippines! :) Look at the picture below for the voting procedure. </span></b><br /></div>
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<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-17416831194315920022009-12-05T09:57:00.000-08:002010-01-09T21:58:31.250-08:00<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">This weekend we attended a gathering of athletes, adventurers and sports enthusiasts at our church. We were happy to meet people who share the same passion. Among those present was Taekwondo champion Japoy Lizardo, who would be competing in the SEA games this December 9. </span></span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1585" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-339" height="150" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1585-150x150.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1585-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: right;" title="IMG_1585" width="150" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span><img alt="IMG_1586" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-340" height="92" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1586-300x165.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1586-300x165.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1586" width="168" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">Michael and I were honored to be in the same boat as Japoy. It's a very big privilege to be able to represent our country in an international competition. Michael and I were given a few minutes to speak at the meeting. We were able to show our video and introduce the Ultimate Thailand Explorers competition. Among those who approached us after our talk was Elen, a former expat in Thailand. She had a wonderful time as a teacher in Bangkok. She talked about the warmth of the people, the delicious food, the year-round sale and the quality of goods. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">Plus, she gave us some tips: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">*As Filipinos, we sometimes pat people's head or ruffle their hair to show our appreciation. It's a no-no in Thailand. For the Thais, the head is the top most part of the body and should not be touched casually. Doing so would be disrespectful.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">*Using the toes to point to something or someone is also frowned upon. It's not good to have your foot point to a person. So ladies have to be careful that when they cross their legs their foot isn't pointing to someone. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">*To get the restaurant bill, we are used to drawing a square in the air to signal the waiter to get our check. In Thailand, you use your pointing finger to draw circles! That's how you get your bill. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">Elen also shared about the deep love and respect that the Thais have toward the royal family. She was overwhelmed the first time she encountered the entourage of King Bhumibol in the streets of Bangkok. Unaware that the King was passing by, she was shocked to see everyone on the street stop at their tracks. It seemed like the whole world had stopped moving, Elen described. Everything became so quiet, she thought it was the end of the world! That's how they show their reverence. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">After that, Michael and I met up with our new friend-- perfumer Bugsy Lazo (</span></span><a href="http://emtipiel.multiply.com/" mce_href="http://emtipiel.multiply.com"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">http://emtipiel.multiply.com</span></span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">). We met Bugsy at an internet cafe in Zamboanga City during our campaign in the semifinals. He and his cousins became our instant supporters! The night we met was the same night we hit first place in votes! Since he's originally from Manila, we met up with him while we were there. The thoughtful Bugsy wanted to send us off with a gift, the first we received this Christmas--two bottles of his most saleable perfume! Michael got a scent called Guimba, which means forest in the Tausug dialect. I got a perfume named Sassy, a blend of citrus and vanilla. It smells heavenly. Now we're sure to smell sweet while doing exploring Koh Samui. Thanks so much, Bugsy!</span></span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1532" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-336" height="160" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1532-300x278.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1532-300x278.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: right;" title="IMG_1532" width="173" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span><img alt="IMG_1520" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-335" height="152" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1520-300x225.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1520-300x225.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left;" title="IMG_1520" width="202" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span><img alt="IMG_1516" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-337 aligncenter" height="90" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1516-150x150.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IMG_1516-150x150.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1516" width="90" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">As we prepare to fly to Thailand tomorrow, we want to greet everyone a Merry Christmas! May you have a meaningful holiday season! :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #e06666;">Love Samui </span></span></span><br />
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<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-10034384734155943492009-12-05T09:42:00.000-08:002010-01-09T21:44:17.255-08:00Guess Who is Celebrating His Birthday Today?<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Courstesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tatnews.org" height="532" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/06.jpg" mce_style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px none initial;" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/06.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="06" width="800" /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">His majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is celebrating his 82nd birthday today! Here are some very interesting facts about Thailand's beloved monarch!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*The King was actually born in Cambridge Massachusetts on Dec. 5, 1927. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*His name "Bhumibol Adulyadej" means "Strength of the Land, Incomparable Powe</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">r."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*His mom Sangwal was a commoner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*The King came to Thailand from the United States when he was</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">already around one year old in 1928.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*In 1935 his elder brother, Phra Ong Chao Ananda Mahidol, became King of Thailand. King Bhumibol ascended the throne following the death of his brother on June 9, 1946. King Ananda died from a gunshot wound to the head while in his bedroom in the Baromphiman Hall in the Grand Palace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*On 4 October 1948, while he was driving on the Geneva-Lausanne road, he collided with the back </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">of a truck. He hurt his back and incurred cuts on his face</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">. He also lost sight on his right eye. He</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">had to wear an ocular prosthetic. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*While finishing his degree in Switzerland, Bhumibol visited Paris frequently. It was in Paris that he first met a child of his first cousin, Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> daughter of the Thai ambassador to France. He was 21 and she was 15. They got engaged in Lausanne on July 14, 1949, and the couple were married on April 28, 1950, just a week before his coronation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*King Bhumibol and his wife Queen Sirikit have four children.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*During his coronation, he pledged that he would "reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*King Bhumibol is a painter, musician, photographer, author and translator.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*The King is also an accomplished jazz musician and composer, particularly for his works on the alto saxophone. He was the first Asian composer awarded honorary membership of the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna at the age of 32.</span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej#cite_note-79" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej#cite_note-79"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">(Wow!!!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*One of his book "The Story of Thong Daeng" is the story of his dog Thong Daeng (meaning copper). He rescued the stray dog from a shelter that he had dedicated. Of the dog, the King wrote: "Tongdaeng is a respectful dog with proper manners; she is humble and knows protocol. She would always sit lower than the King; even when he pulls her up to embrace her, Tongdaeng would lower herself down on the floor, her ears in a respectful drooping position, as if she would say, 'I don't dare.'"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*The King is humble. In spite of lese majeste laws, which allow critics to be jailed for three to fifteen years in Thailand, he admitted during his 2005 birthday speech. "Actually, I must also be criticised. I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know. Because if you say the king cannot be criticised, itmeans that the king is not human", he said. "If the king can do no wrong, it is akin to looking down upon him because the king is not being treated as a human being. But the king can do wrong."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">*King Bhumibol is an accomplished sailor and sailboat designer.</span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej#cite_note-81" mce_href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej#cite_note-81"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">He won a gold medal for sailing in the Fourth Southeast Asian Peninsular Games in 1967, together with HRH Princess Ubol Ratana. This accomplishment is to be remarkable given his lack of binocular depth perception.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />We hope you're as impressed as we are with His majesty. We pray for the King's continued good health and success on this special day. This psalm accurately sums up our well-wishes:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">May God do what you want most and let all go well for you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Then you will win victories and we will celebrate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">May the Lord answer all of your prayers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">I am certain, Lord, that you will help your chosen king.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Some people trust the power of chariots or horses,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">but we trust in you, Lord God.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Give the king victory, Lord, and answer our prayers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Ha</span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">ppy birthday, Your Highness King Bhumibol Adulyadej! </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Love Samui </span></span></span></span><br />
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<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-24977747892057193102009-12-04T21:47:00.000-08:002010-01-09T23:18:48.900-08:00Flashback Thailand<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><img alt="Thai4" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-315" height="713" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Thai4-1024x713.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Thai4-1024x713.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Thai4" width="1024" /><br />
I have just found some old pictures when I was about 15 years old, the first time I went to Thailand. These are old photos of me (in the maroon shirt) in the Wat Pho Temple. Taken way back in 1995, my mom was on a business trip and my brother, sister and I were able to tag along.<br />
<img alt="95" class="alignleft size-large wp-image-240" height="707" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/95-1024x707.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/95-1024x707.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left;" title="95" width="1024" /><br />
One thing that struck me before entering the temple was that we were not allowed to point our toes inside the temple. Reverence to authority is a very important virtue for the Thai people.<br />
<img alt="Thai5" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-316" height="1024" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Thai5-704x1024.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Thai5-704x1024.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Thai5" width="704" /><br />
My wife and I recently were on a plane and were seated beside a passenger who loves Thailand very much. He adores the gentleness and respect shown to the King by the people. I heard the same from another friend who commented that currencies are not usually folded because the image of the King is printed there! What awesome respect!<br />
<img alt="Thai3" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-314" height="1024" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Thai3-769x1024.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Thai3-769x1024.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Thai3" width="769" /><br />
And so Thailand, I am coming back.<br />
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</div>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-52840027520520166992009-12-04T21:38:00.000-08:002010-01-09T21:41:15.211-08:00Tokens of Love<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">Wow! We have reached the 1,000 mark in 4 short days. The last time we checked we were in 4th place. Michael and I were out the whole day to prepare gifts for the Ultimate Thailand Explorers. We're so happy to know that we made it to the top today (but we are now No. 2!) Thanks to YOU! And thanks to PEP (Thanks, Yas!) and Yahoo! for featuring us on their Showbiz page. They made us feel like celebrities. We're speechless. . . </span></span><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;"><br /></span><br /></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: Arial;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">First stop for us this morning was the Department of Tourism. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano was so nice to have personally prepared gifts for the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the organizer of the Ultimate Thailand Explorers. Sec. Ace is also into adventurous pursuits and has recently zip-lined in Davao and Danao! He couldn't meet us because he was out of the town today, so he asked his executive assistant Ms. Karen Sanchez to hand us the gifts. They are beautiful! I so want to keep them! We're not allowed to tell you what the gifts are. Not yet! We don't want to spoil the surprise.</span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><img alt="At the Philippine Department of Tourism" class="size-medium wp-image-283 aligncenter" height="300" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Tourism2-234x300.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Tourism2-234x300.jpg" title="Tourism2" width="234" /></span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">We also went to our favorite bookshop to prepare gifts to the other contestants and the liason officer that the UTE has assigned to us. His name is Big and from his picture in Facebook he looks like a nice young man with a sunny disposition. We can't wait to meet him and the other contestants. We also have new friends from Bangkok whom we will be meeting for the first time in the welcome party--all 40 of them! Hmm, it will be a challenge to remember all their names, but we will try.</span></span><br />
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<span mce_style="font-family: Arial;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">We received a feedback today from Siampinoy. Yes,we have a strong Filipino community in Bangkok! (Hello, everyone! Salamat sa suporta!). Angilicus told us that some of you are having problems voting after registration. I'll post a guideline here. Hope it helps. :)</span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: Arial;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">1. After registering, you can log on to this page: </span></span></span><u><a href="" mce_href="www.tinyurl.com/mikejenkohsamui " mce_style="text-decoration: none; color: #003399; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 1.2em;" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span mce_style="font-family: Arial;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">www.tinyurl.com/mikejenkohsamui</span></span></span></a></u><br /></div>
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<span mce_style="text-decoration: none;" style="text-decoration: none;"><span mce_style="font-family: Arial;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span mce_style="text-decoration: none;" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">2. Look for the "LOG-IN" tab on top of the page.</span></span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: Arial;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">3. Log in your Username and Password.</span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: Arial;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">4. Then, a pink button with the word "VOTE" will appear below the video screen.</span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: navy; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span><br /></div>
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<span mce_style="font-family: Arial;" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;"><span mce_style="color: #000080;" style="color: navy;">Angelicus and Peachy, both expats in Thailand, reported to us how nice the Thai people are and what a wonderful experience it was for them to work there. We're very glad to hear that! Thais and Filipinos share many similar traits. Like their Filipino counterparts, Thais are warm and hospitable. They are family-oriented, respectful, religious, very fashion savvy and they love spicy food! We look a lot like them, too.</span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span mce_style="color: #800000;" style="color: maroon;"><span mce_style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span mce_style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span mce_style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span mce_style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold;">Love Samui</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></div>
<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-85049636673233475452009-12-02T19:29:00.000-08:002009-12-02T19:33:02.527-08:00L.O.V.E. is in the Air!<span style="color: #383434; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael has beaten me again! (No, not that kind of beating!) Every 3rd of the month, we have a contest on who will greet the other first. You see, we got married on the 3rd day of October and every month we have this tradition of surprising each other. I woke up at dawn today to find this pink flower and note in my equally pink childhood bathroom. I think the score so far is 25 to 1, with me winning over him just once in our 1 year and 2 months as a married couple. </span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="heart" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-261" height="124" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/heart.jpeg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 550px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;" title="heart" width="124" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Last night, we received our Koh Samui itinerary from the Ultimate Thailand Explorers support team. They’re doing a great job, updating us with our itineraries, e-tickets and what-have-you’s. We promised to do 3 things in our poll that you would want us not to miss in Koh Samui. Here are the winners: </span></strong></span></span><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Elephant Trekking, 2 Treetop Ziplining, 3 Samui Rollerball/Zorbing!</span></strong></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> We’re putting these into the itinerary and we’ll add the 4th and 5th placers as well! Koh Samui is one fun-filled island! I wish we can stay longer than 6 days so we can see and experience everything! </span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">As much as we want to travel earlier to Thailand to attend the Royal Ratchaphruek Festival, we decided to stay home, because I’m still recovering from cough and cold. But we’re still wishing, hoping and praying we’ll meet the king once we travel there this Dec. 8. </span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Again, we’d like to thank everyone who is religiously voting and visiting this site everyday! We thank you for the comments, suggestions and encouraging words as well. We couldn’t have reached the finals without you. We’d also like to thank the </span></strong></span></span><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Philippine Department of Tourism</span></strong></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> for graciously extending their help and support. Thank you </span></strong></span></span><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Secretary Ace</span></strong></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> for your generosity! </span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Blessings, </span></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Love Samui</span></strong></span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">L-ush rainforests!</span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">O-cean adventures!</span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">V-erdant golfcourses!</span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">E-xtreme sports! </span></strong></span></span><br />
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<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-63099949078957786982009-12-02T19:19:00.001-08:002009-12-02T19:19:55.526-08:00Smells Like Hell, Tastes Like Heaven!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gKJI97c-GdU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gKJI97c-GdU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-90632786622954477322009-11-30T19:24:00.000-08:002009-12-02T19:25:04.815-08:00Tired of Bad News? Read Good news here!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: white;">GOOD NEWS PILIPINAS! </span><a href="http://goodnewspilipinas.com/?p=9398%C2%A0"><span style="color: white;">http://goodnewspilipinas.com/?p=9398 </span></a><span style="color: white;">
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<span style="color: white;">We have been so blessed to be part of the Ultimate Thailand Explorers. It is such an amazing adventure. One more hour and the FINALS voting begins. Thank you everyone for your encouragements and support. We are believing that one of our voters win the $2500 voter’s prize! Koh Samui here we come! (Dec 10 – 16, 2009)
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</div>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-7030175569083111762009-11-29T19:16:00.000-08:002009-12-02T19:18:35.960-08:00Thailand Celebrates the Royal Flora Ratchapruek Festival!<span style="color: #383434; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (www.tatnews.org)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #999999;">How we wish were in Thailand now! As you may now know, the yellow Ratchapruek is the official flower of Thailand and it represents their beloved monarch. According to the Thailand Authority of Tourism, more than 200,000 visitors are expected to attend a grand festival designed to celebrate and honour His Majesty the King, now the world’s longest reigning monarch, who will be celebrating his 82nd birthday on 5 December, 2009.</span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #999999;">The opening ceremony will be held on 30 November, and the entire festival will run from 30 November – 10 December, 2009, at the Ratchaphruek 2006 Garden in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. His Majesty the King ascended the throne in June 1946 and was coronated in May 1950.</span></span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #999999;">The highlight of the opening ceremony is the lighting of 999 </span></span></span><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #999999;">Kom Loi </span></span></span></em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #999999;">(Sky Lanterns). Nine is an auspicious number for the Thais. It will be followed by cultural dances from the 4 regions of Thailand with 99 dancers each! There will be fireworks and horticultural exhibits of flowers, fruits and trees throughout the festival. It’s going to be an orchid lover’s paradise.</span></span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #999999;">The grandest day will be on the King’s 82 birthday on December 5. There will be lighting of candles, offering of prayers and blessing for his continued good health, and singing of songs. A fireworks and lights show will follow afterwards.</span></span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #999999;">We are still hoping we could go in time for the King’s birthday! We’re trying to figure out a way. It’s our dream to meet King Bhumibol.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #999999;"> We’ll update you!</span></span></span></strong><br />
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<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-18055017260292239732009-11-27T00:42:00.001-08:002009-11-27T01:00:10.822-08:00101 Ways to Reach Koh Samui<span style="color: #383434; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Just as there are 101 reasons to visit Koh Samui, there are also 101 ways to escape to Koh Samui. . . Let </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">TEAM LOVE Samui </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">show you how. . . </span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Let’s start our home country– the Philippines! </span></span><img alt="airplane" class="alignright size-full wp-image-191" height="143" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/airplane.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: right; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;" title="airplane" width="143" /></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Roundtrip fares with taxes from Manila to Koh Samui are as low as </span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">U</span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">S$364.00 / pass</span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">enger</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">From the Philippines, the first route to Koh Samui is via Bangkok. There are three (3) airlines flying to Bangkok from Manila and one (1) from Clark, Pampanga. Departing from the International Airport in Manila are the following airlines (Cebu Pacific also flies from Clark to Bangkok):</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Thai Airways </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.thaiair.com/homepage/en/home.htm" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">http://www.thaiair.com/homepage/en/home.html</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Cebu Pacific </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://cebupacificair.com/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">http://cebupacificair.com/</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Philippine Airlines </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.philippineairlines.com/home/home.jsp" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">h</span></span></span></a><a href="http://www.philippineairlines.com/home/home.jsp" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">ttp://www.philippineairlines.com/home/home.jsp</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Once in Bangkok, you can make a connecting flight through one of the following airlines:</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Thai Airways</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.thaiair.com/homepage/en/home.htm" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">http://www.thaiair.com/homepage/en/home.html</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Bangkok Airways</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.bangkokair.com/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">http://www.bangkokair.com/</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">You also have the option of traveling to Koh Samui by bus, train and ferry. </span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">F</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">or those traveling from other parts of the world to Koh Samui. . .</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Now for Koh Samui fans coming from Europe, Northern America, Latin America, Middle East, and other parts of the world, getting there is no problem! All major carriers and national airlines all have flights to Bangkok. And from there, you can connect to Koh Samui.</span></span><img alt="globe" class="alignright size-full wp-image-190" height="200" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/globe.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: right; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;" title="globe" width="200" /></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Roundtrip fare with taxes starts at</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">US$1,400.00 / passenger</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Some countries are even blessed to have direct flights to Koh Samui. The following airlines travel direct to Koh Samui:</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Hong Kong — Bangkok Airways: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.bangkokair.com/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">http://www.bangkokair.com/</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.bangkokair.com/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span></a></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Singapore —</span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Bangkok Airways:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.bangkokair.com/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">http://www.bangkokair.com/</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Koh Samui: </span></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Firefly Airlines–</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.fireflyz.com.my/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span></a></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.fireflyz.com.my/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">http://www.fireflyz.com.my/</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Berjaya Airlines–</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://www.berjaya-air.com/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">http://www.berjaya-air.com/</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Roundtrip fare with taxes starts at </span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">US$182.00 / passenger</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">TRUE to being tourist-friendly, Thailand exempts a considerable number of countries from visas. </span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> Only the nationals of the following countries should apply for a visa upon arrival. Period of stay is 15 days.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Bhutan,China, Cyprus, CzechRepublic, Estonia, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein,Lithuania, Maldives, Mauritius,Oman, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia,Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Ukraine</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The following countries are exempted from tourist visas and can stay in Tha</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">iland for 30 days. </span></span></h4>
<ul>
<li><h4>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, UK ,USA, Vietnam</span></span></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
</li>
</ul>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The following countries are visa exempted and can stay for up to 90 days.</span></span></h4>
<ul>
<li><h4>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Brazil, Korea, Peru</span></span></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">
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</li>
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</span><br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-52282886820530167452009-11-27T00:30:00.001-08:002009-11-27T00:38:33.324-08:00Wanted: An Authentic Thai Massage<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We just got massages in one of the best spas in the world--our home. We had just flown back from an amazing conference in Malaysia and we needed to get some time to wind down. Aside from getting a deep tissue massage, Michael tried a procedure called Bentosa Cupping Therapy. He had been experiencing back pains lately and he had noticed knots on his upper back, which was caused by the accumulation of lactic acid in his back muscles. The masseuse suggested Bentosa to get rid of these big, hard knots. </span></span></span><br />
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<img alt="Michael's Bentosa Therapy" class="size-medium wp-image-115 aligncenter" height="300" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_1461-223x300.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_1461-223x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Michael's Bentosa Therapy" width="223" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After a brief massage, the masseuse put out her armament--a set of 6 glass cups, 6 coins and a lighter. She wrapped a coin in a small white paper and rolled it. She then put it on Mike's back and lit it with the lighter. Michael's back was on fire. Acting quickly, the masseuse covered the flaming coin with the cup, extinguishing the fire. She repeated the whole procedure 5 more times. Michael said it felt like having six vacuum cleaner tubes stuck on his back. It felt very good. . . like getting a giant pinch from your adoring grandmother. All the pain melted away. Michael, whose back now resembled a red lego block, had a very relaxing nap afterwards. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We can't wait to try an authentic Thai massage in Koh Samui. Last September Michael's cousin opened the Thai Spa in Zamboanga City and we were honored to be its first customers. The Thai massage we experienced there didn't involve the use any oil or kneading techniques. It concentrated instead on pressure points and involved a lot of stretching on a mat on the floor. It is the perfect massage to get in middle of a workday, perhaps on a lunch break, when you need some invigoration. No sticky, oily feel. And instead of sending you off to dreamland, you don't feel drowsy but energized and raring to go afterwards. (The Thai Spa is located at Nunez Ext., Zamboanga City. Telephone number 992-2513) </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="The Thai Spa's Plush Lobby" class="size-medium wp-image-106 alignright" height="132" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_3066-1-300x199.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_3066-1-300x199.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: right;" title="The Thai Spa's Plush Lobby" width="200" /><img alt="The Spa Beds" class="size-medium wp-image-109 alignleft" height="132" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_2951-300x199.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_2951-300x199.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left;" title="The Spa Beds" width="200" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><img alt="The Thai Spa in Zamboanga city" class="size-medium wp-image-107 aligncenter" height="137" mce_src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_30511-300x199.jpg" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/IMG_30511-300x199.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The Thai Spa in Zamboanga city" width="208" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do you know that Thailand now has more spas than any other country in the region? It was recently named the "Asian Spa Capital of 2009" by AsiaSpa Magazine. Two of the things we want you to experience with us in Koh Samui are the different massages and beauty treatments. Prepare to be pampered as we show you the different types of spa treatments available. And of course, we'll tell you which ones are worth your time and money and those that you can skip altogether. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Right after our massage this afternoon, even before the masseuse could leave the house,we were already in front of our computers,eagerly typing away, excited to update our blogs and sites for the Ultimate Thailand Explorers! That's what a good massage can do--it can soothe, relax and rejuvenate a weary soul. It's a strong testament to the healing powers of touch.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">P.S. If you're planning on trying Bentosa, make sure you don't have a formal event or beach outing to attend, because the red spots on your back will take a week or two to fade. :) </span></span></span><br />
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<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-79410955639744966862009-11-27T00:15:00.000-08:002009-11-27T00:28:22.077-08:00Love Koh Samui!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">
LOVE Samui--this is our team name! And also our tagline. . . We chose it because we want our team to remind you of that beautiful place we're representing-- KOH SAMUI! Or what the Thais refer to as Samui, "Koh" being the Thai word for "island." We're very convinced that like us you will also FALL head over heels IN LOVE with this unique island paradise.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span></span><br />
</div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> What does Koh Samui have to offer? </span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Let L.O.V.E. be your guide. . .
</span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">L- lush rainforests</span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">O-ocean adventures
</span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">V-verdant golf courses</span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">E- extreme sports
</span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">YOU CAN find these and more in KOH SAMUI! You just gotta LOVE SAMUI!</span></span></span></b><br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-10981675538463879922009-11-23T21:57:00.001-08:002009-11-23T21:57:40.134-08:00A Message from Michael and Jenny!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-15dJRaFQk8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-15dJRaFQk8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-17453182513271487772009-11-21T06:51:00.000-08:002009-11-21T06:53:50.691-08:00<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">We are officially in the finals of the Ultimate Thailand Explorers! </span><br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">You may visit our official UTE blog at </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/mikejenkohsamui"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">http://tinyurl.com/mikejenkohsamui</span></a><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Voting for the finals will begin on December 1 until January 8! </span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #383434; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div style="padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">LOVE Samui–this is our team name! And also our tagline. . . We chose it because we want our team to remind you of that beautiful place we’re representing– KOH SAMUI! Or what the Thais refer to as Samui, “Koh” being the Thai word for ”island.” We’re very convinced that like us you will also FALL head over heels IN LOVE with this unique island paradise.</span></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What does Koh Samui have to offer? Let L.O.V.E. be your guide. . . </span></span></strong></span><br />
</div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span><br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">L- lush rainforests</span></span></strong></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">O-ocean adventures </span></span></strong></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">V-verdant golf courses </span></span></strong></span><br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">E- extreme water sports </span></span></strong></span><br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" /></span></span></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">YOU CAN find these and more in KOH SAMUI! You just gotta LOVE SAMUI!</span></span></strong></span><br />
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><br />
<br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-70274093384519221712009-11-19T20:42:00.000-08:002009-11-22T20:46:59.441-08:00Our Awesome Planet features Ultimate Thailand Explorers!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dedicated blogger and father of four Anton Diaz featured us on </span></span></span><a href="http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2009/10/ultimate-thailand-explorer.html#comment-6a00d8341bfbd553ef0120a69e376e970c"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Our Awesome Planet!"</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> OAP is one awesome blog that presents the very best in Philippine travel, events and yummy food. It sprang out of Anton's passion to chronicle his young family's adventures. Thanks to Anton, his avid readers and many of you who voted for us throughout the semis, we have now been officially declared as the team to represent Koh Samui in the Ultimate Thailand Explorers!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Tourism Authority of Thailand assigned us this official blog: </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/about-koh-samui"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui</span></span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">you may also visit the blog through this URL</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://tinyurl.com/mikejenkohsamui%C2%A0"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://tinyurl.com/mikejenkohsamui </span></span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you have any questions about Thailand, particularly Koh Samui. . .or if you have suggestions on what you want us to try out while we are there, feel free to message us here or in our official blog.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have a great week! ;)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael and Jenny</span></span></span><br />
</div>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-19069485800906451512009-11-10T08:05:00.000-08:002009-11-10T08:07:45.405-08:00Zamboanga Times Features the Ultimate Thailand Explorers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0owGEltxkNkC2we7B7l93H_S00Vnnm6qsK3ULaYicny0TwQX95wVWH-pkDOJqCK7sTSEvOzrmzmD68S0dY5sopX5Ool_z3lyD9NGt3YHA1LcHnxKYVdvBHmvihixClobODoGO9L8Ntg/s1600-h/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0owGEltxkNkC2we7B7l93H_S00Vnnm6qsK3ULaYicny0TwQX95wVWH-pkDOJqCK7sTSEvOzrmzmD68S0dY5sopX5Ool_z3lyD9NGt3YHA1LcHnxKYVdvBHmvihixClobODoGO9L8Ntg/s200/IMG_1045.JPG" /></span></a><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">With a plethora of problems hounding us daily, it is always refreshing to write about good news. If General Santos' Manny Pacquiao will gie honor again to our country by November 15, Zamboanga City will also have its own glory (and be known worldwide) within this month, too. </span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> We may have had our fair share of negative publicity in the past, but we have been given another a chance to shine in the international scene by November 13. Thanks to a young couple from Canelar Moret, Michael Paul and Jennifer Cocuaco, Zamboanga City made it in the international travel competition Ultimate Thailand Explorers. They are the only team from the Philippines who got into the semifinals of this competition organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.</span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Among the 192 contestants from around the world, Michael and Jenny's 1-minute audition video caught the eye of the panel of judges who immediately included them in the list of only 25 teams to enter the semifinals. It is no small feat because only three Asian teams got picked to be in this coveted spot. The two other teams come from our industrialized neighbor Singapore. Majority of the semifinalists are from the US and Europe. </span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The battle is just heating up for Michael and Jenny. The Ultimate Thailand Explorers is afterall an online voting competition. And yes, you can do something to affect the outcome. Out of the 25 semifinalists, only 5 teams who get the highest votes in their chosen destination will get to the finals. Deadline for voting is on November 13 at 1 AM. The past two weeks, Michael and Jenny were trailing behind by almost 300 votes in their chosen destination, but because of the outpouring of support from family, friends, online contacts and the media, they are now number one! Our beloved Zamboanga is now leading by 809 votes as of press time. Trailing far behind are contestants from the UK, Singapore, and the US. Help keep Michael and Jenny at the top by voting for them every 24 hours. As a reward for your generosity, you may even win for yourself the $2,500 luxury travel package and high-tech HTC cellphone that the contest organizers are giving away to two lucky voters. This definitely is a win-win situation and a worthy investment in Zamboanga's pride. Imagine!</span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To vote, log on and register your details at this website: http://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer A confirmation letter will be sent to your email immediately by the contest organizers. Open the email and click on the confirmation link which will bring you to the contest's main webpage. Look for Michael Paul & Jennifer's video for Koh Samui near the end of the page and vote by clicking the pink VOTE button. It's that easy. </span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> An adventurous and fun-loving couple, Michael and Jenny's zest for life is contagious, as one can see in their 1-minute video (http://tinyur.com/mike-jennifer) which highlights the best spots of Pasonanca Nature Reserve. More than that, they serve as good ambassadors for our city and nation, as they are responsible professionals in their respective fields. Michael, an alumnus of Zamboanga Chong Hua and Ateneo de Zamboanga, took up Hotel and Restaurant Administration in the University of the Philippines. Aside from being a manager and reservations officer of local travel agency 888 Ticketworld, he is also a youth leader, often asked to share his experiences and expertise in the areas of leadership, management and finance. His wife of 1-year, on the other hand, is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, who majored in Business Management and Communications, where she was also a Dean's Awardee for the Arts. As a writer, her work has been published in numerous glossy magazines and newspapers, including Reader's Digest Asia. Aside from that, Jenny, born and raised in Manila, is also a TV producer and director who has produced magazine and documentary TV shows in the Philippines and China. Both Michael and Jenny, chosen recently as our country's representatives to South East Asian Youth For Change, are well-traveled and well-versed in the Asian culture.They are perfect for this competition, which tests the participants' skills in promoting and highlighting the beauty of 5 tourist destinations in Thailand namely Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chang Mai and Koh Samui. </span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Two weeks into the competition, Michael and Jenny got the Philippine media's attention. Several lifestyle and social writers from Manila featured them in their blogs, including CNET blogger Joey Alarilla, travel blogger Anton Diaz and OK! Magazine editor-in-chief Frances Amper-Sales. Aside from being heralded by the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), the Zamboanga couple was also featured last Saturday in fashion icon Tim Yap's column in the Philippine Star. Let's not delay in giving this couple our all-out support by viewing, voting and campaigning for their video. (http://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer) </span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Once they get to the finals, Michael and Jenny will be given the chance to personally travel to the Thai island paradise of Koh Samui. They will document their experiences through articles, pictures and video that will be published to a worldwide audience online. Your support is crucial even in the finals, because judging is purely based on voters' support. A vote for them is a vote for our beloved ctiy. </span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So log on and vote for this sweet couple and have the chance to win $2,500. Above all, Zamboanga City will be known around the world. </span><br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thanks for this second article, Kuya Dante! :D </span><br /></div>
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<br /></div>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-29935345228877706202009-11-10T07:51:00.000-08:002009-11-10T07:55:28.730-08:00Ultimate Thailand Explorers in Philippine Star's Supreme Section by Tim Yap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We're in the national papers! Thank you, Supremo Tim! :)</span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Published on Nov. 7, 2009 at the Philippine Star</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is the online version . . . </span></span><br /></div>
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</div>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-65861336490353245202009-11-04T01:33:00.000-08:002009-11-27T00:41:26.183-08:00Why Koh Samui?<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When we decided to join the Ultimate Thailand Explorers, Michael and I immediately chose Koh Samui because of its reputation as an island paradise. More so, it seems to us to be the least publicized among the five destination. We’ve been to Bangkok and Pattaya, heard about Chiang Mai and most specially Phuket, but Koh Samui is something new to us. And it beckons us to come and explore its shores. I once saw a Starworld feature of Koh Samui and the sights were breathtaking.</span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our personal research showed us that aside being an idyllic beach town, it has so many other things to offer. You must have already noticed from our video. There’s so much to do in Koh Samui. Aside from the many natural attractions, there’s a wide array of extreme sports to try, spa resorts to luxuriate in and dining options to consider. There’s golf for those who want a slower pace, shopping for the ladies, and a vibrant nightlife to entertain partyphiles. I can’t wait to go there! Later, I will post a list of activities that we can do in Koh Samui, but before that here are some factoids:</span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some interesting facts about Koh Samui:</span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*Koh means “island” in Thai and Samui is said to either be derived from “Mui” name of a native tree or the chinese word “Saboey” which means “safe haven.” I am kinda leaning towards this second definition.</span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*Said to be circular in shape (looks heart-shaped to me), it is the 3rd largest island in Thailand and the 2nd most popular island destination. It is surrounded by 60 big and small other islands. The most popular ones are Kao Thao (divers island), Koh Phangan, Koh Nang Yuan and the Ang Thong National Marine Park. </span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*</span></span><span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Koh Samui or Samui, as locals prefer to call it, has its own international airport with direct flights coming in from HongKong and Singapore. There are also buses, trains and ferries to take tourists to the island.</span></span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*Koh Samui’s population is 50,000 and the land area is 247 square kilometers. It’s possible to go around the whole island in half a day. </span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*The island has a unique climate. Unlike other major destinations in Thailand which enjoy 6 months of rainy season from May to December, Koh Samui only experiences rain in November. (Glad we’re going there in December!) It only rains an average of 20 to 60 minutes each time, which reminds me of Zamboanga City, where a rainy day for me is luxury.</span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*Aside from a thriving tourist industry, Koh Samui’s economy flourishes through rubber and coconut exports.</span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*</span></span><span style="color: maroon;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Inhabitants of the island are called “Chao Samui.” </span></span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*Koh Samui has been a backpacker’s haven since the 70’s. </span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*The most convenient way to travel in Koh Samui is by renting cars, motorbikes and bicycles. Taxis are convenient but they don’t use the meter here so it’s good to haggle in advance. </span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Michael: We will be driving around the island with a car provided for by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. I am very eager too to drive the motorcycle! </span></span></strong><br /></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Koh Samui, here we come! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://www.ultimatethailandexplorers.com/blog/kohsamui/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;" /> We will be there this coming Dec. 9-16! </span></span></strong><br /></div>
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</span></span>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-56925155792288333352009-11-01T19:26:00.000-08:002009-11-09T00:24:55.190-08:00Bitten By the Travel Bug!<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Newsflash:</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> You have just made us NUMBER 1 in Koh Samui through your votes for the Ultimate Thailand Explorers! :) This is the first time we made it in the top spot. We are overwhelmed by your support. Thank you especially to our friends in the media who have taken time to write and feature us. We feel like celebrities already. Hehe, We went around town yesterday to campaign and the people of Zamboanga City were very positive. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Keep us at the TOP by voting everyday till Nov. 12:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Torre Molinos, Spain</span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My husband Michael and I are both passionate about traveling and exploring other cultures.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> Gaudi's work in Barcelona, Spain </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I have been traveling since I was 12 and writing and taking photos about my travel since age 22. I have been blessed to be born into a set of parents whose credo is "Travel is the best education a parent can give their children." I noticed through the years that the number of countries I have traveled to always exceeds my age and I have my parents to thank for that. I am now in country 38. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I took up Business Management and Communications in college and eventually started working for the print and TV media. Because of my work, I have been privileged to be given the chance to go around Asia-- to shoot, produce and write stories. It's a pleasure to go to exotic places and rub shoulders with people whose culture and language are uniquely different from yours and to discover you're not as separate and different from them as you'd like to think. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael, on the other hand, has been going on cross country tours in his motorcycle since his early twenties. He got his motorcycle at age 18 and he has traveled around 12,000 kilometers with his bike. He is still using that same bike today. Five years ago, he and his brother established a travel agency. He has been managing it since and it thrills him to travel vicariously through his clients as he books airplanes tickets and designs tour packages for them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying the sea breeze at Microtel, Cebu</span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of our faith goals, when we got married was to see the world together before we start a family. So far, we have traveled together to the following places around the Philippines: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cebu--It is also called the queen of the south, and was mentioned by Celtic singer Enya in her song Ornico Flow. Cebu is famous as the landing site for Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan. It was here where he was killed by Lapu-lapu, a local datu. It is known for its white- sand beaches, well-crafted guitars and the local delicacy danggit (Cebu's salted fish). Cebu is the hometown of furniture designer Kenneth Cobunpue and fashion designer to Hollywood stars Monique Lhuillier. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Bohol-- Bohol has so much to offer, from the famous Chocolate Hills to the tarsiers, smallest primates in the world, to some of the most beautiful and diverse dive sites in Asia. While there you can visit, the Bee Farm and taste local salad made of flowers and pasta with coconut milk. You can also ride an All-Terrain Vehicle to take you on a worms-eye view of the chocolate hills. Go dolphin watching at dawn and swim with the fishes at Balicasag Island. And don't miss the Loboc River cruise and enjoy the sumptuous buffet lunch onboard while being serenaded by the locals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mitra's Ranch in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan</span></span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Palawan--Palawan is an eco-tourist's and adventurer's paradise. It known for its exotic flora and fauna, the crystal clear beaches and lagoons and the breathtakingly raw and jagged islands. (Read my article about Coron, Palawan at http://jctravelblog.blogspot.com) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Boracay Island-- In my travels, I haven't seen a beach that can rival Boracay's powdery-white sand and 4-kilometer long beach front. It is a perfect getaway with friends. All sorts of water sports await you in Boracay. You can even play pingpong under the sea! (Yes, we have! And it's on video, too.) If you get tired of the beach, you can also try your hand at golf, biking or this crazy attraction called Zorb that has you bouncing inside a giant plastic ball filled with water. Not for faint of heart.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There's a lot more travel stories & pictures to come. Do watch out for that . . . Have a great day! </span><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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</div>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-78307329022903760422009-10-30T22:26:00.000-07:002009-10-30T22:31:18.204-07:00PEP.ph: Zamboanga couple competes in Ultimate Thailand Explorers<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Early Friday morning, I was in the kitchen when relative called and told us that she read an article about us in the Philippine Entertainment Portal or PEP for short. We so appreciate the support. Thank you to PEP writer Yas Salanga. Click the link below to see the full article. :)</span></b><br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.pep.ph/news/23693/Zamboanga-couple-competes-in--Ultimate-Thailand-Explorers%C2%A0-">PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz | News | Zamboanga couple competes in Ultimate Thailand Explorers /</a></span></b>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope you can continue to vote for our video! God bless! </span></span></b><br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-81071436656095658892009-10-27T22:34:00.000-07:002009-10-27T22:34:53.059-07:00Ultimate Thailand Explorers write up in CNET Asia's Babel MachineMr. Joey Alarilla, marketing head of Level Up , was so kind to have featured us in his CNET Asia blog entitled <a href="http://asia.cnet.com/blogs/babelmachine/post.htm?id=63014499">Babel Machine!</a> Do read his post <a href="http://asia.cnet.com/blogs/babelmachine/post.htm?id=63014499">here</a> and tell us what you think!<br />
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Don't forget to vote today: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer">http://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer</a>! Remember that you may vote once day until Nov. 12. We are still in 3rd place and trailing the leader by 294 votes but nothing is impossible! Come on, Philippines! <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hello, friends! Only 20 more days to vote for tour favorite teams in the Ultimate Thailand Explorers competition. You can VOTE for your favorite video EVERYDAY! The contest organizers encourages you to vote everyday. (Opo, pwede kayo bumoto araw-araw para sa video, basta bawat 24 hours!) We are now in 3rd place with only 365 votes. You can help us become number 1 and win for yourself $2500 in prizes including a trip to Thailand & a blackberry phone.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do register and vote today. Log on to: </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://tinyurl/mike-jennifer%C2%A0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">h</span></a><a href="http://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">ttp://tinyurl.com/mike-jennifer</span> </a> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Did you know that-- </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*Thailand is also known as the "Land of the Free". The Thai people are proud of the fact their country is the ONLY country in South East Asia never to have been colonized by a European country. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*The monetary unit of Thailand is called the Baht. One Thai Baht is equal to US $0.029.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zHFBwoCd_eXkBPl_SPeO6Ym3MZNPCaufufPJ822-8l02wG97dCxnOvRSwAlbB3xG_UM-uD-CVO06hKEggvM4zZjpcPNWDseq5t8wJTY-Pntxs2eItXugTfV1RQYkNbCD5xonHGBWNWs/s1600-h/Orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zHFBwoCd_eXkBPl_SPeO6Ym3MZNPCaufufPJ822-8l02wG97dCxnOvRSwAlbB3xG_UM-uD-CVO06hKEggvM4zZjpcPNWDseq5t8wJTY-Pntxs2eItXugTfV1RQYkNbCD5xonHGBWNWs/s200/Orchid.jpg" /></span></span></span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*Thai Airways, the official air carrier of Thailand flies to over 70 destinations around the world</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*The official national flower is Ratchaphruek. The brilliant yellow color of the flower is the same tone as official religion of the country and the color of Monday, the day when His Majesty King Bhumibol Aduladej was born. Since orchids are most abundant in Thailand, it is also unofficially honored as the national flower.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*The beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is turning 82 on December 5, is the world's current longest serving head of state and the longest reigning monarch in Thai history, having reigned since June 1946. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*December 5, the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is also the National Day of Thailand. It is a public holiday. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh409_ogdYYWeoNCW_vVMJ9Qjye0qfkOfbcxbxvrGjAtP9QAAS5JttyrPTiFAjVIPflzQ4TQ9I9SOyIJQ4bYr5I0Mp62FDIGKzp5KBcghLFTwfCPoQq4VmOw-oKo2Baq_VJ37KNKmUBihE/s1600-h/05192005(009).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh409_ogdYYWeoNCW_vVMJ9Qjye0qfkOfbcxbxvrGjAtP9QAAS5JttyrPTiFAjVIPflzQ4TQ9I9SOyIJQ4bYr5I0Mp62FDIGKzp5KBcghLFTwfCPoQq4VmOw-oKo2Baq_VJ37KNKmUBihE/s200/05192005(009).jpg" /></span></span></span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*The elephant is the national animal of Thailand, a big help in the logging industry and a vehicle of war since the 16th century. The Thai people regard the white elephant as auspicious. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*March 13 is regarded as Elephant Day, when government and non-government organizations organize fund raising and public awareness events for the conservation of this beloved animal. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*Thailand is the world's 50th largest country in terms of land area. It is slightly smaller than Yemen and slightly bigger than Spain.</span></span></span><br />Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-67843054950798966252009-10-18T09:46:00.000-07:002009-10-18T09:51:22.930-07:00Vote and Win $2,500!!!<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Woooohoooo!!!! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We just got into the SEMIFINALS of the Ultimate Thailand Explorer! We're the only Philippine contestants that got in. The long wait is over! <br /> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>YOU MAY NOW VOTE FOR US! Voting is 2x a day or every 12 hours from Oct. 19 to Nov. 12! <br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Voting Procedure: <br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Log on to: <a href="http://bit.ly/4wns1s">http://bit.ly/4wns1s</a> and Register your details. (Do this and you also get the chance to win $2,500! Two voters will get this prize!) <br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Open the confirmation email and click on the link in that email. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Log on to:</b><b> <a href="http://ultimatethailandexplorers.com%20/">http://ultimatethailandexplorers.com </a> and scroll down to KOH SAMUI. Then find, contestants Michael Paul & Jennifer.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Double click our video and find the pink button that says "Vote for Michael Paul & Jennifer."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Your vote will determine if we get to the FINALS! :) Plus, you stand to win $2,500 in cash and prizes including a blackberry and a trip to Thailand when you take the time to vote. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Thanks so much for the support and encouragement. :) </b></span><br />
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</div>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160854036546465838.post-6188227172010207042009-10-13T19:00:00.000-07:002009-10-13T05:02:31.975-07:00The Making Of Our Audition Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4xuzDqpjC4A3zVB-CRqq_e49nzQlknJT7xc9UI7q9dNzfpjcrrgAl8g5lOf_7eGuLLQCrmWFgdyZf7lRprQhmzjhrbMDD_UgEtXNCz4kl-joZIu2OmlM8URc7G_gpddzdTv3IFpG2xo/s1600-h/UTE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4xuzDqpjC4A3zVB-CRqq_e49nzQlknJT7xc9UI7q9dNzfpjcrrgAl8g5lOf_7eGuLLQCrmWFgdyZf7lRprQhmzjhrbMDD_UgEtXNCz4kl-joZIu2OmlM8URc7G_gpddzdTv3IFpG2xo/s400/UTE1.jpg" width="400" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></a><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We get queries about who filmed our </span></span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/qt0s" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">audition video</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> for the Ultimate Thailand Explorers. They scratch their heads when we say that we took it ourselves. Yes, really.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We took it with our DSLR camera, a folding chair and a trash can--which served as our improvised tripod. We couldn't bare the shame of asking someone else to film us doing our crazy spiels. Not only that, I don't think anyone would have the patience to wait for us "perfect" our lines.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After talking about our concept and writing a guide, we set out to a nature reserve near the city of Zamboanga one Saturday afternoon. It took only 15-minutes to get there. That's the beauty of living in a small province where everything is within reach. We went straight to the Boys Scout field to film our opening lines. It took a while to get the shots right, because, even with markers, we kept going outside the camera frame. And then, we had our lines to contend with. We started filming at 4:45 PM for 3 separate spiels and didn't get them right until quarter to 6. It was getting dark and we hadn't even finished half of our spiels. We had the resident goat to thank for that. Michael calls him Pavarotti. His loud bleating left us with a lot of useless footage. We had no choice but to pack up and reschedule for another day.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxz2u-7LyerhrAbTyWxaxmPZ2G5rzAH5iFCt2NZkI1JfwoqTrdX8pWTow4o_YsI6Tp7NZwFAUaDWm11UCLXnrbzgj4p7tdUsz1z4GoLadiriFcseF8pxVVB9JWYw0BxDSt0G3fzYqZxI/s1600-h/UTE2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxz2u-7LyerhrAbTyWxaxmPZ2G5rzAH5iFCt2NZkI1JfwoqTrdX8pWTow4o_YsI6Tp7NZwFAUaDWm11UCLXnrbzgj4p7tdUsz1z4GoLadiriFcseF8pxVVB9JWYw0BxDSt0G3fzYqZxI/s320/UTE2.jpg" /></span></span></span></a><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We woke up very early next Sunday morning so that we could finish everything and enjoy the remainder of our weekend. As we drove to the hills, I saw a beautiful scene near a bridge. I told Michael it would perfect for our spiel about Koh Samui! I hurriedly stepped down the car to position our camera. As I did so, I stepped on something soft and slippery on the ground. Guess what? I had just landed on fresh dog poo! It was such a warm welcome, hahaha. The sad part was we didn't bring tissue along. So, we had to improvise by rubbing my slippers on the ground many times before resuming our filming. Michael had a good laugh.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the Climaco Park, where I filmed Michael, I got bitten by a big spotted mosquito. I suddenly thought of one word--Dengue! I quickly swatted it only to have my palm tainted with warm blood. Remember, no tissue. So I wiped everything on a poor unsuspecting leaf. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I asked Michael to film me driving the car, he kept backing away for fear that I might hit him. No amount of dollars can make up for a lost limb. I thought he did the shot perfectly and for only 2 takes at that.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then, we were ready to film our favorite event of all--the slide! Even before I landed in Zamboanga, I had heard about the Weewee pool, the favorite hang out of Zamboanguenos. During our courtship, it was Michael's dream initiation for me to wade in its moss-green waters. It was the ultimate test of true love for him.The Weewee pool, called such because the architect is Mr. Wee, is composed of two Olympic-sized swimming pools. Water comes from the mountains. But beware, it's not as clean as it looks, because algae abounds. We were thinking about either jumping on the diving board or sliding down the kiddie pool. Jumping would be less riskier because we would be able to get to the camera right away. Sliding down was not a good option because the slide was about more than 30 feet and we had to scramble to the top to protect the camera. But hey, sliding down would look more fun so took the second route.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Again we positioned the camera on our foldable chair, all the while praying that the people around us wouldn't think of snatching the new camera. The onlookers were actually very cordial and supportive. They must have thought we were some crazy tourists out to film our misadventures. It was a crucial shot because we couldn't do it a second time. We held our breath and slid down! Soaking wet and shivering from the cold, Michael got to the camera and saw that it was a perfect shot! Yahhhhooooo!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeijo_6ZFJ8g_OyDeWpTOcebotCSjgUCXAJ_D9Tqkl8eSdJYw986j8fIqPMmjaa2SfGg-Rw8s0ltESO4SAQbfM2pds7GgyUoGbh3WGOK1RoaYTy6iOIEB6kzrHM07fOPsNwo5m63_38s/s1600-h/UTE+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeijo_6ZFJ8g_OyDeWpTOcebotCSjgUCXAJ_D9Tqkl8eSdJYw986j8fIqPMmjaa2SfGg-Rw8s0ltESO4SAQbfM2pds7GgyUoGbh3WGOK1RoaYTy6iOIEB6kzrHM07fOPsNwo5m63_38s/s320/UTE+5.jpg" /></span></span></span></a><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Filming the scene where we were supposed to pop out of the water was trickier. (Yup, for those who wanted to know-- that was a separate shot, unless you have 2 cameras.) We filmed it while hoping that the kids who were running to and fro would not accidentally bump the camera. When we packed up and saw the shot, we were not inside the frame at all. We missed the spot and had to redo it. It was not easy popping out of the water and talking. The water made it hard to speak and look straight to the camera. I must have swallowed a lot of water with algae since we had to do it at least four times.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Lr7vnJeajGn3vVXmwjtondZDerL-Ed9-5miFLiiPSPaSx3-sCZotzB4SIee9HP_96QsbUVh_8ZMwEnfrWcOxE4zJhF-n4raByPx555xH3UxzwkMvgPm93jG8DXxu6ZlPzLVp5k_n8tE/s1600-h/UTE3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Lr7vnJeajGn3vVXmwjtondZDerL-Ed9-5miFLiiPSPaSx3-sCZotzB4SIee9HP_96QsbUVh_8ZMwEnfrWcOxE4zJhF-n4raByPx555xH3UxzwkMvgPm93jG8DXxu6ZlPzLVp5k_n8tE/s320/UTE3.jpg" /></span></span></span></a><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We finished filming two hours later. When we got to the house, we realized that we were sun burned even if it wasn't that hot that morning and we did not forget to wear sunblock.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We edited it using Final Cut Express in our Macbook. We're thinking of coming up with a video of our out-takes soon. But then again maybe not. It might be too embarrassing. . . :)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stay tuned!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View our video here:<span style="color: #073763;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://bit.ly/qt0s" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this), "c5bda8145fcd25f6db6baa2745503a15", event)" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://bit.ly/qt0s</span></span></span></a></span><br />
</div>Jennifer Yap Caspehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735878016502582990noreply@blogger.com2