my life

My name is Lars. I live in Copenhagen in Denmark and I'm a lifestyle fanatic. I travel. Spend time on learning new stuff and fancy everything aesthetic (and some other things too). The header picture is from the roof top of Banyan Tree hotel in Bangkok. Taken by me in September 2013.

[larsps]

Good bye Manila. See you soon!

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Okay, so I’m sitting here on top of Manila. More precisely on the roof top of The Bayleaf hotel. My favorite hotel in Manila. Primarely because of the roof top and the location but also because of the staff. Most of them know me by now, and I always feel so welcome. In about two hours I will leave for the airport and begin the 20 hour travel back home. I’m not so sad though. I will be back soon. I met some really nice people that I will defiantly meet again.

It’s like 30 degrees and a little bit cloudy. Don’t be fooled by that - I already feel it burning in my skin. The sun is so powerful here! When I arrived in Manila it was Valentines day and they put A LOT of effort in celebrating that. The traffic was insane! Going about 10 km’s from the airport to the hotel took 1,5 hours. I could walk faster. But in Manila I guess you don’t want to do that.

Reflecting back on last week just so many things happened. Both crazy and not so crazy things. It’s all there. I think maybe this vacation has been the one in my life with most contrast within a very short period. I’ve met so many people and told so many stories. And received at least as many in return! I just love that. It makes my own little sphere at home seem sooooo incredible small and not important. It’s like I don’t want to miss out a single thing anymore and I will do anything in my power to avoid growing deep roots in one single place. It’s just not me. In a few weeks I gain more quality in life than in a whole year staying at home. It’s difficult to explain but the people I meet they all connect with me on that subject. It’s like a virus and it got me. I don’t know if it’s possible to get rid of that feeling ever again. Right now I don’t want to.

In Boracay I met some nice blind people. Very nice people! The had a massage place just next to my hotel and I went there everyday for massage. I always wondered if they would be better at feeling the muscles and now I know that they are. I’m in love with that place. And the way they trust you is just amazing. I would pay them and give them some money and tell them how much it is and they will take out some money in exchange and I will again tell them how much it is. How can you not love that. Some times they would be sitting in a bar close to their place enjoying a beer after work and they will easily recognize me just by my voice and ask me to join them. Great times!

I couldn’t help smiling just a little bit each time I said “See you later”. For some reason it just kept coming out sounding like a joke but that’s what they say.

Mag-ingat ka as they also say here. Always take care!

[larsps]

Watching sunsets. More fun in The Philippines.

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There’s just something about The Philippine people and singing. They’re all really really good at it! Almost all I meet sing. The people working behind the bar desks. In hotels. Selling stuff on the streets. Working in shops. They all sing so good that it makes the singing competition TV shows we have at home look ridiculous stupid. Even more than they already are. I don’t know why we even try.. I think maybe it’s because they’re heavy users of karaoke since birth. Or videoke as they call it here. Many people thinks karaoke comes from Japan but it’s actually from here. They have it in all their homes and it’s normal to have fun singing when the family are together or when they go out for a drink. In Denmark were I’m from only the brave ones try but here you’ll have to wait in line. I captured this girl singing in a restaurant as I walked by. She’ll make Whitney Houston proud for sure. I only got like the last minute but I’ll try to look her up one of the days. She almost made me break a tear. I want more!

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Today I opened a book and read some pages. Nothing more to add to that story. Except that I think I might got too much sun. I feel a little bit sick and like wearing long pants and long sleeves in 30 degrees. That’s not right ha?

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Funny story about the evening I arrived. Last time I was here I met a guy from Belgium while sitting in Coco Loco (bar next door). Nice guy we talked and hung out together. When I arrived in Boracay this Sunday evening I checked in to the hotel and went to Coco Loco to say hi to them and have one beer. And I see the same Belgium guy sitting there again. He arrived the same day. Man what a small world! :) Attached is the mandatory bounty pictures from today! I’m living in a postcard.

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Watching sailing boats passing by. More fun in The Philippines.

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Relaxation. More fun in The Philippines.

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My first sundowner in a loooong time!

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I stay at hotel Hey Jude South Beach in station 3 in Boracay. The beach is very long and is split up in stations. Not because of any kind of public transportation. No reason. Just because. I found this hotel in September by coincidence. They had opened the day before and I was actually the first to stay there so it has a special meaning to me. This time it was planned and booked from home and they all recognized me when I came back and gave me a nice welcoming. I’m staying in a room facing the beachfront so I can hear the waves breaking when I lie in the bed at night. Just perfect! Next to Hey Jude there’s a bar called Coco Loco and to the other side there’s a place called Tree House. A unique hotel build into a big tree. I sometimes eat there because it has live music and a special atmosphere. And sitting high up in a tree overlooking the sea while eating breakfast is just... That threesome of places creates a special location for me. A place were I always feel welcome. Not that I don’t do that in other places, but combined with one of the world best beaches it’s not all that bad.

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Nice view from the hotel room in Boracay! One of my favorite places to be.

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Cebu Airways cancelled my flight and rebooked me on another 30 minutes later. For that trouble they gave me two free flights and free food. Nice style!

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Oh, and it's 30 degrees and apparently the Chinese New Year is celebrated over many days. Lovely and lively atmosphere!

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I arrived in Manila,The Philippines after a rather interesting flight! I didn’t actually plan for it but flew over China in the night and in very clear weather on the 31st January which is the Chinese New Years evening. Man it looked amazing! No words or pictures can ever justify the experience. The ground was one big light show as far as the eye could see and in every direction. At first I didn’t realize what all the light glimpses was but then I noticed that it was fireworks! All over and all the time!! When we flew over Hong Kong they turned of all the interior lights to enhance the experience. Just wauw! U could even see digital count downs on the big buildings.

After a heavy people loaded Manila airport experience I’m now well located in the Makati area of Manila in the hotel Celeste. A nice highly rated boutique style hotel. My kind of style! Affordable luxury. I can only recommend others to visit. The location is within walking distance (300 meters) to Green Belt, which is a very nice shopping/restaurant area. Way better shopping than Mall of Asia if you ask me. And better atmosphere.

Tomorrow I’m heading back to Ninoy Aquino airport to board a flight to Caticlan airport. Next destination is Boracay. Two weeks of beautiful beach! Yes please.

[larsps]

I can recommend the Marhaba lounge in Dubai airport. The one in the new Terminal (gate A). It’s new and like a hotel and around 120AED for unlimited use and time. Just few cups of coffee and some bread and it’s paid for.

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5 hours stop over in Dubai is spend with a blanket, CNN and coffee. It's morning here but in my mind it's in the middle of the night and I still didn't get any sleep.

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Isn’t that? Yes it is! I’m leaving this cold snowy weather. Final destination Manila, The Philippines! First stop Dubai.

I will try to use Tumblr for this vacation. Mostly because I want to learn about it. It seems really cool!

Anyway - I’m so hungry and are really looking forward to the food on the airplane. Emirates is an amazing airline company! Biggest problem right now is that I can’t decide wether I should start of with a glass of champagne, white wine or whiskey.. Or maybe beer? No defiantly not beer..