Reading Festival

2015 was the year that I went crazy with gigs.  My taste in music varies depending on who I am with and what year we are talking about.  In Uni, I listen to ska/reggae and alternative, indie/indie pop and some main stream hip hop and soul in High School.  Sometimes I listen to Jazz and Bossa too.  Let's just say that I am very open and enjoy variety of music.

I lived in Reading when I first moved in the UK.  So naturally, this is not my first Reading Festival.  I went in 2009 when Kings of Leon was hot.  I wanted to go again in 2015 because I want to see Bastille.  I am glad that I went now as, fast forward to the future (May 2016), I am currently 8 months pregnant.

There are loads of things to consider when attending Reading Fest:

1.  What to wear.  This is not Coachella.  People genuinely go to this festival because they enjoy music.  Americans vs British Music Festival is very much the opposite.  People dress up but they don't dress up to look cute.  Usually, it is sensibility  that reigns - rain boots (as the British weather is so unpredictable), light jackets, onesie.  It can vary.

2.  Arrive early.  If you are camping out, I can't help you as I only go for the day.  I am not the camping type as you can see on my blog.  I love the luxury of hot water and hotel.  If you are going for the day, I suggest going early especially if you are watching acts.  We had to queue up for an hour to get in.   Don't try anything stupid like bringing illegal stuff as you will be searched.  To be fair, we have seen people with drugs but I don't do drugs so I will not know how to smuggle them.

3.  Bring some cash.  Most concessions are cash only.  You can collect used pints in exchange of money.  I have seen some kids collect them.  

4.  Bring some wipes.  This is a festival and hygiene is always a question.  This is the reason why we sell Dry Shampoo and Dry Soap in Primark.  Yes, I work for the team that buys them.  :P

5.   Don't do anything stupid like queue jump.  We saw a guy, on the first day of the festival try to queue jump and was stopped by the marshals.  He embarrassed himself.

6.  If your favourite act is popular, try to push in front or get a good view before the actual act starts performing.  Bastille was so popular that everyone was stayed to watch it.  I say, more than Mumford and Sons.

7.  Download the app.  I think this is quite helpful so you can plan what you want to watch.  On that day, we saw Palma Violets, Panic! at the disco, Bastille, Alt J, Mumford and Sons, Limp Bizkit, just to name a few.

I learn a few things on this festival.  One, you should be with the company that will enjoy the same music as you are and two, my husband hates going to festival.  I don't want to say that he is old because I have seen older people in the crowd but he genuinely hates being grazed but kids who are drunk and or taking drugs.  At one point, he told the kid to get away from us.  :-P   

Day trip to the Sea Side - Worthing

I struggled getting into the job that I wanted when I moved in the UK.  First, I didn't have the right degree although I have the right training.  I did Business Management in Uni but it was in a Philippine University.  I have retail management/ merchandising and manufacturing experience back home.  I wanted to go to Retail Buying Office in the UK but I ended up working in shops at first then I luckily did some buying for Thames Water until finally, I landed a job in Primark.  I had to sacrifice loads of time and weekends just to get to the job I am in today.  For few years, I am an absentee wife whilst I try to build my career and get into what I wanted but my husband looked after us.  This is why Luke and I would do anything when we get our weekends off together.  His is guaranteed as he works in the office whilst mine was not.  Summer is especially peak in retail.  

England is a great place if you can drive.  There are so much things to see or do depending on what you fancy.  You can be shopping in London, eating Fish and Chips in Brighton and visiting Windsor Castle.  I guess that would be the perk living in the South.  If you can't drive, the trains are well connected too but you have to plan your trip to include delays. 

Whenever Luke and I get the chance and the weather is good, we tend to go driving.  We liked to explore areas which we haven't been before.  This is why we have random day trips everywhere.  Luke genuinely loves to drive when the weather is good.  We chose Worthing because we haven't been and it's good to go to the seaside during summer.  Very very British.  :)

Bad Girls Reunion - Bali 2015

It is amazing what a difference a year makes.  Since my last post, I fell pregnant, got a job in Buying Head Office and moved house in the suburbs.  I have been busy with work and life that I don't have the luxury of time to blog anymore.  I am currently on my Maternity Leave and whilst waiting for the arrival of the little one, I thought I should update this blog.  :P

Bali was chosen just because it was so hyped up during that time.  Like every Filipino celebrities were holidaying in Bali and the photos looks amazing.  

We rented a villa in Seminyak then my hubby and I moved to Sanur for the remainder of the trip.

Day 1 - Seminyak at Night

Seminyak is one of those tourist driven places.  If you like accessibility, then stay in this area.  The beach is walking distance and you have different variety of foreign restaurants, massage places and shops.  You will be spoilt for choice.  Cash machines are everywhere so are the money exchange areas.  But beware, don't go to dodgy dark streets to exchange money and you might get mugged or come back with money less than expected.  If I have to go back to Bali again, I will bring strong currencies like GBP and Dollars.  I took Philippine Peso with me and lost 25% of it's value on the first day.  I felt robbed but I should have done more research.   It was such a novice move on my part.

On our first night, naturally, we have to check the area.  We can't decide where to go so we ended up in one of the "carinderia" type to get a feel of the Balinese food and we weren't disappointed.  It was good value for money and we naturally had a great night.  :)

Day 2 - Tours 

It is amazing how quickly you get lured into doing cultural tours.  I will say this again, I go to a country thinking I won't be able to go back, therefore, I will do anything.  The villa management provided us with tour ideas.  You know, laminated photos of places of interest.  I am sure you have an idea what I am talking about if you have been anywhere in Asia.  We only have to pay for the driver for the day to take us and all other expenses will be paid by us.  This works well in a big group as the more members you have, the less you have to pay.  To be fair, it isn't a lot but if you are on a tight budget, this is recommended. The driver took us to a place which they show you how to weave which happens to be adjacent to the place which sells overpriced woven items and souvenirs, to the temples where you should come covered, the the luwak farm just because you are in Bali and you must do it and to a place resembling a rice farm.  As a Filipino whose grandma owned a rice farm, this is nothing new to me.  But seeing this in my husband's eyes, this must be what European considered exotic.  :P

Day 3 - Nusa Dua

Am I right to assume that everyone who has been to Bali has been to Nusa Dua?  We spent the morning of our third day sunning and tanning just because you don't come back from a beach holiday white skinned.  :P  The beach is clean and the area is not so crowded.  Having seen Bali, you have to carefully plan which beach you want to go to.  It is big and it caters to different crowds.  If you are into surfing, staying in Seminyak is a good option but don't follow my advise.  You have to do more research.  :)

Just like all Asian tourist places, or tourist places in general, you have to pay for the sun lounger.  You will be offered a menu and get the lounger for free which of course, we availed.  We brought our drinks with us as the villa provided us with a cooler but we purchased the food on the day.  Food = free sun lounger.  If you are fuzzy about toilets, then you might have a problem with this.  The toilet provided is shall I say, not European standards.  It might not be true on all places in this area but definitely on this beach.  The massages are offered as well.  You can haggle the price but I suggest not doing this as this people make a living through the tourist.  Think about helping the economy and the local people.  Sometimes, I am self righteous like that.  

Day 4 - Souvenirs

Husband went diving this day and we spent the whole day looking for souvenirs.  Okay, this is not your typical touristy souvenir place.  My cousin actually found a market that sells cheaper than usual items.  We might be earning a lot of money (considering the GBP/Australian dollar conversion) but we are not stupid with our money.  Going to places like this is part of the experience.

When we arrived on the market, we had no clue on where to go.  We started browsing but because we look lost, the lady helped direct us to the stall which sells batik cloth.  I am using the word help lightly.  If you want to go shopping in peace, don't ask for help or make eye contact.  We were taken to her sister to buy the batik and because it is her sister, we had to buy from here mother and to everyone else she knows.  It is like a scam.  You don't have to buy of course but she will start pestering you.  :P  We ended up buying one from here sister and her and the rest we just browsed ourselves.  

On the way home, we had to rent a van and haggled our way to get to the villa.  I know, haggling is a recurring theme but if you don't ask, you don't get right?  It pays to be Asian as well, I think.

This is one of the famous spots where Filipino Celebrities go.  The cute colour always get me.  :P

Day 5 -  Sanur Arrival

We originally plan to leave on the fifth day but since we have nothing planned in Manila, Luke and I thought that we should stay a bit longer in Bali.  We found a hotel on the last minute which have it's own beach.  We even have wi-fi.  :)  Really, really important in a foreign place.  

The plan was originally to go to Gili's island.  Noone told us that it will take hours to get there.  We thought that you take a ferry and that's it, you are in Gili's but it is more complicated than that.  Sanur is less touristy that Seminyak.  Less restaurant choices and slower pace.    I remember going to the beach on the first day and having massage only to have been hassled the whole treatment as the lady said, she offered first. Definitely less zen experience but what can I do?  They need to make money and need to learn boundaries.

Day 6 - Lembongan Island

From Seminyak, you have to take an hour ferry to Lembongan Island.  

I love my husband's sense of adventure.  My world will be a lot smaller without him on it.  I am one of those people who you would consider safe.  I do calculated risk.  I would try things once but the good girl in me always comes out.  I blame my conservative, morally upright grandma.  :P

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip.  Luke and I didn't have any idea what to do in the island.  We saw people renting out motorbike but we didn't at first as we thought it is not necessary.  We ended up walking and realise that we will go nowhere without it.  This day is like a packed 3 day Seminyak trip only better.  We have seen temples, beaches and a traditional burial ceremony.  

Day 7 - Departure


Had a little scare on the departure day as the volcano showed some activity.  Luckily, we left before it erupted.  Unlucky for us, it was raining when we return in Manila.  We remained holed up for few days and it was the most boring few days we had.  It was relaxing but the days was better spent doing something else.

T-5days

T-5 days to holiday.  The Banks are going to yet again, another holiday.  It is going to be in Manila and Bali.  My brother is getting married on the 29th of June and since the fare from London-Manila is expensive and my cousin is coming from Australia, we decided to throw in another bad girl reunion.  Last year did happen in Malaysia but I was on holiday for a month I forgot to blog about it.  Sorry.

Bali with my girls.  I can't wait.  Maybe do some post 30 birthday celebration. This is gonna be fun.   

Love,

Bankies

Village Experience: Bourton-On-The-Water

It is spring in England.  Now, spring doesn't guarantee good weather.  Having lived in England for a total of 6 years now, I can assure you that the weather is something that we can't predict.  The MET Office might say sunny now but it can change from hail to windy to rainy then back to being sunny again in one day.  That is four seasons for you people.  :P

I don't live in London.  Reading is a town 30 minutes by train to London Paddington.  Having lived in Reading is a blessing and a curse for me.  One one hand, it is near London but not near enough for me to go work in London and still make money and on the other hand, it is in between Oxford and London which are two major cities in my opinion.  

I have heard of Cotswold.  I just didn't realise how near it is to where we live.  I have assumed that it will be somewhere up north but it wasn't.  Bourton on the water is actually an hour and a half away from Reading by car.  It is a small quaint village maybe 30 minutes away from Oxford.  Having lived in the city all my life, this was a different experience for me.  Now, don't get any ideas.  Wokingham is as close to moving to a village for me.  I love being accessible to everything.

There are few things to do in Bourton on the Water:

1.  Bird Zoo

2.  Visit the Model Village

3.  Motor Museum

4. Do the Maze

5.  Walk around the village and picnic

6.  And my favourite, go to tea houses.  

Since this is our first time and we only paid for few hours pay and display for our parking, we ended up walking around the village and drinking coffee by the stream.  On a sunny day like today, there are kids playing on stream catching fishes and there are many ducks to be fed.  It is nice and relaxing and just something different from living in a city.

17.05.2015: Praia da Adraga

The best holidays are the ones that are not planned.  Don't believe me.  There are pros and cons with the planned and unplanned holidays.  I used to fall on the former since I like to know what to do on a daily basis and not waste a dime sitting around on the hotel but since I like in Europe now, such a dream come true BTW, I can just fly anytime, provided I have visa, money and days off from work.

I am so selfish in this trip, since I have been, I am not very excited on the idea of going to Lisbon.  Luckily, this is one of the countries where Luke haven't been.  If you think I am well-travelled, I paled in comparison to my husband.  He lived in Australia, Kazakhstan and Thailand and he is only in his early thirties.  That's all because of his job.  So proud of your achievements babe.

All holidays are different.  It is all dependent on the weather, the company and that company's fun factor.  There is no such thing as boring one as different people have different ideas of holiday.  If I have to go to the beach, a do not disturb sign has to be assigned next to me.  My idea of heaven is sun + tan + books + food and alcohol.  What can I say, I am a very simple girl and it shows on my figure.  *evil laugh*

Praia da Adraga is not a very accessible beach.  It is very local if I have to say so myself.  Not very crowded either.  The beach is surfer's paradise.  The waves are massive when we got there at 10AM so I can imagine that it was bigger at 6AM.  It is very clean and not touristy at all.  There is nothing that my British husband hates than going to a place which is catered to the tourist.  There is only one restaurant/ bar, one public toilet.  Noone is on tour and there is noone offering braids, massages or any thing at all.  My tip is to be fully prepared when you go there - bring everything, food, drinks, entertainment, umbrella, sun lotion, toilet paper.  I mean everything you can think of.  I am assuming that you are renting a car so be prepared to get lost in the small narrow roads.  But be patient.  The beach is a gem just 40 minutes outside the city.  :)

16.05.2015: Fatima

I am not extremely religious.  Like, it is a Sunday today but I am blogging when I am supposed to be in church.  You won't see me debating with anyone about religion anytime soon as I think it is a waste of time to impose such things to non-believers.  But I do believe in God, I do believe in miracles and I let God's plan take over my life.  I was born and raised as a Catholic and luckily, my husband is too.  It wasn't very important when I was younger and dating blindly but now, I am thankful for God for sending me my husband.  

Fatima is a religious site 100km outside Lisbon.  It is where Mama Mary said to have appeared and very important to all Catholics.  It is a Pilgrim site and Catholics all over the world come to visit there.  We were lucky when we got there as they just had the Big Fatima Celebration.  Lucky that we missed as it was so busy just to get to the chapel.  It was off peak when we visited and the parking is free.  Don't be shocked when you see people walking on their knees and praying or when you see people getting pushed in a wheelchair praying for a miracle.  I, for one, felt extremely lucky to be there.  Blessed that I was in the Holy Site not needing any miracle.  I was just thankful for all the blessings that the Father and Mother has given over the years.  I am sorry this is turning to be a very "Praise the Lord" account but there is no other way about it.  I am a proud Catholic.a

Tips when visiting Fatima:

1.  Go early as it gets extremely hot on a flat area during the afternoons providing that it is summer or spring of course.

2.  Bring your own food and water.  There are picnic areas around the Church.  I only saw handful of restaurants and I am sure, they would charge you a lot.  

3.  Bring sun protection or if you are Hay Fever, bring meds.  We made the mistake of not bringing sun protection and had to buy from one of the stores which charged triple compared to England.  Can't fault the only pharmacy in the area.

4.  Have change ready for the candles.  If you want to bring offertory like flowers, you can too.