MAP Abenture Tidbits: International Edition - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This is ais kacang (in Penang) / ice kacang (in Singapore) or commonly called ABC elsewhere in Malaysia.

ABC is an acronym for Air Batu Campur, that literally means "mixed ice." This is a popular Malaysian dessert made of shaved ice with several ingredients such as red beans, sweet corn, palm seed, and even ice cream topped with evaporated milk, condensed milk, or coconut milk.

When I first encountered this mouth-watering dessert in Kuala Lumpur, I suddenly missed my own country's halo-halo (Tagalog for mix-mix). Thanks to my Malaysian friends who gave me a treat during my KL trip. Now I have a new meaning for ABC! It means refreshment!

When you get to visit Malaysia, don't forget to try this out, a perfect way to refresh one's senses! Check out any coffee shops, hawker centers and food courts.

Photo Credit: Aben Garlan 

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My Abenture Tidbits: Bamboos - Off the beaten track, Monastery of the Transfiguration, Malaybalay Bukidnon

Thousands of Filipinos and several tourists from around the globe have visited the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. People go there for a weekend retreat, a trip away from the City for some relaxing moments with nature and God.

(More details about the Monastery on the succeeding blogs)

However, only few people are able to reach this off the beaten path: A few hundred meters away from the Monastery is a place where locals, care-takers, priests and Monks are familiar with - but not the tourists. And I was privileged to witness this breath-taking view ala - desktop background! - Bamboos covering a pathway narrow pathway to the other side. 

Thanks to a priest who toured me on my first visit here last September 2010 during my birthday vacation trip. It was indeed a surprise gift for a person who loves nature so much and seeks the presence of God in commune with His creation.

It's for you to judge how beautiful this place is - a place where only few people ever goes.

Bamboos - off the beaten track

Trivia:(from Wikipedia)
Bamboo is a tribe of flowering perennial evergreen plants in the grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family. In bamboos, the internodal regions of the stem are hollow and the vascular bundles in the cross section are scattered throughout the stem instead of in a cylindrical arrangement. The dicotyledonous woody xylem is also absent. The absence of secondary growth wood causes the stems of monocots, even of palms and large bamboos, to be columnar rather than tapering.

Bamboos are some of the fastest-growing plants in the world, due to a unique rhizome-dependent system. In fact, within a 24 hour period, bamboo can grow four feet. Bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia, being used for building materials, as a food source, and as a versatile raw product. Bamboo has a higher compressive strength than wood, brick or concrete and a tensile strength that rivals steel.

Photo Credit: Aben Garlan
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My Abenture Tidbits: Claveria, Misamis Oriental

Truly Tomatoes! Tomato plantation, Claveria, Misamis Oriental

This photo was taken while riding a mutli-cab on our way to a certain destination several hundred meters above sea level.

Claveria is a first class municipality located 42 kilometers northeast of Cagayan de Oro City. It occupies more than 112, 000 hectares of the upland areas of the province of Misamis Oriental, and the only land locked among the 24 towns. It is basically an agricultural town with elevation that ranges from 450 to 1200 meters above sea level, with undulating to steeply slopes predominate the terrain (92%).

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Photo Credit: Aben Garlan

My Abenture Tidbits: Tiklas Falls, Gingoog City

MAP Tidbits: Tiklas Falls
 
This is Tiklas Falls of Gingoog City, one of the tourist destinations that the locals are very proud of. Enjoy watching and swimming through the strong gushing water, or jump off from a cliff if you are brave enough to do so. Stay for a couple of hours for a laid back experience in commune with nature in its simplicity.

Aside from this beautiful Falls, the resort has swimming pool in it. My advise is for you to bring your packed meals/snacks for your day-time visit. 

Tiklas Falls Resort is about 9 Kilometers away from Gingoog City proper and 350 meters walk from the main gate. 

Gingoog City is located in Misamis Oriental, Mindanao, about 2-3 hours travel (approx 122Kms/mi) east of Cagayan De Oro City and 74Kms (46mi) west of Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte. This City was founded by Spanish missionaries in 1750...the oldest City in the Province of Misamis Oriental.

The name Gingoog is pronounced as (hee-ngu-og), since it originated as a Manobo word, which means "good luck." The word implies good fortune, thus Gingoog City means the City of Good Luck.

Photo Credit: Aben Garlan
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If Only: The Abenture's Dream (Sept 13, 2009)

I
If only I have a DLSR, I would be capturing all great things that my eyes can see:
The fantastic falls, gleaming green fields, majestic mountains and spectacular seas.

If only I have my own car, I can go as far as I wanted to be,
To stop and take snapshots of captivating views, with perfect angles of those clouds, old nipa house or tree.

If only I have the luxury of time and money, ill be in every “beyond the usuals” of this country,
So we can take pride of our homeland: To rediscover Philippines, to make known to the world its beauty.

If only I have the skill of writing and power of speech, with conviction and mastery,
I could utter what my eyes have witnessed. I will translate in words the image of glory.

And if only I have found the love of my life, we could have shared the moments in serenity.
Lying here beside me, we’ll be driving, flying, cruising or just daydreaming endlessly.

II
But while all of these are still “If Only’s”, the absence nor scarcity wouldn’t stop me.
As long as God permits, I’ll Go The Distance and continue The Journey.

You know what? I made this poem in the middle of my road trip with Mommy.
And the whole trip once again had proved how God made it all perfectly.

Awe-inspired with Bicol’s picturesque scenery; the region’s rich culture, history and religiosity,
Mouth-watering dishes, world-class sports activities, and most importantly my friend’s hospitality,

Have made me decide on something: With the Lord I will be, God’s window to the country’s beauty.
Let me be your little eye, thru my ‘Pinas ABENtures I’ll do it passionately.

So that you can decide where your next destination would be,
And proclaim to the world with pride and dignity:

Hindi ako banyaga sa sarili kong bansa. Napakaganda ng Pilipinas, tara lakbay na!