Random memories: Love and light

Paper lanterns in the courtyard of Anggun Boutique Hotel, in Kuala Lumpur, where B and I stayed October 2012. Anggun is a small boutique hotel just a street away from Jalan Alor, KL’s vibrant hawker street

Looking through my photographs one time, I noticed that I tended to take a lot of photos of windows, lamps, light, etc… aside of course, from the usual food, drink and scenery shots. I’ve never deleted the photos because, well, they’re part of the journey and I figured I could use them somehow one day… In Remembrance of Things Past, Proust gets transported back to a memory just on the taste of a madeleine. And so it is with these pictures. One look and they take me back to when I was there, living the moment.

Singapore
Some of these photos have shown up in my Instagram or Tumblr feed or were used in another blog entry.

Chandelier in a bar in Ann Siang Hill. The bar doesn’t exist now, by the way. Circa March 2011

Exterior of Emporium on Ann Siang Hill. You’ll know this bar when you’re in the area because of the distinct blue walls. Good place to chill with a beer and people watch. Circa April 2012

Green window shutters in Chinatown, circa March 2013

Clark Quay at night from Errazuriz Wine Bar. This outdoor wine bar of Swissotel in Clark Quay is the perfect spot to enjoy Clark Quay without actually going into the mayhem across the the river. They serve good Riesling too! Circa April 2013

Windows of the Fullerton Bay Hotel from the lobby restaurant where I was having late tea and dessert with the gang. Circa June 2011

Red arches of Duxton Hill, taken when I was showing B around. Circa Sept 2012

Shophouse on Ann Siang HIll. Red and black are always a good color combination

One Price Store on Emerald Hill. Every time I’m here this shop (?), cafe (?) is closed. I wonder what it is? But I love the facade. June 2011

Again, on Emerald Hill a few days later than the photo before this. June 17, 2011

At home on a sunny day. Aug 20, 2012

Stained glass windows at Gusstimo, ION Orchard, after a weekend brunch with the gang. June 16, 2012

At Kampong Glam. The pen design caught my eye. I’m not even sure if this shop is still there! I was going around the area with Ka. April 9, 2011

Lamp at Bumbu restaurant, Kandahar Street near Kampong Glam. This restaurant serves really good Thai-Indo cuisine! The interiors are really nice too. September 28, 2012

I love the domed and tiled interiors of Au Chocolat at Marina Bay Sands. Taken after watching Jersey Boys with Karen and Chiquit, Dec 1, 2012

Little Chinese lantern in the bumboat during the Singapore River Cruise, my favorite touristy thing to do in Singapore. Taken March 2013

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Koh Samui, Thailand and Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Most residents of Singapore (local or otherwise) have a love-hate relationship with KL. Maybe because it’s so near, there’s a “familiarity breeds contempt” angle to it. I like KL. It reminds me of Manila, if Manila were better planned. KL anchor pic above and the one below was taken during my trip there last August 26-28, 2012 with B.

Simple rooftop resto at Anggun Hotel. The area has a lot of bars and restos and you can hear the noise from the rooftop or even in the room. It’s a good hotel though

B has a house in Koh Samui, so one time we hied off there. This is the second time I’ve been to the island. First time was in 2006 for a Bulgari perfume launch where we stayed near the touristy areas of the island. B’s place is at the opposite end, where there are hardly any tourists and the pace of life reminds me of the laid-back vibe of provinces in the Philippines. Taken November 16-18, 2013

Lush vegetation and brick walls of B’s house. There are two separate wings in the property. This one houses the guest bedrooms. I like waking up early in the morning and seeing this. It’s so peaceful, you can hear the conversation in the yard three houses over!

Best place for morning coffee is sitting on that chair in the terrace

I liked Phnom Penh very much. It was clean and orderly and the Cambodians are one of the most cheerful and goodnatured people I’ve encountered, and yes, that’s counting Filipinos. I was there on a working-cum-vacation trip. B was working, I was on vacation. I wasn’t able to explore much though. Maybe next time.

I love the diffused light and airiness of Aqua Boutique Hotel, where we stayed. The vibe was very laid-back and European, for some reason

Courtyard of the National Museum of Cambodia, which houses many of the country’s statuary. I love the windows and the arches. This isn’t an old building, but rather a new building that echoes the Khmer heritage

Main post office building in Cambodia. I love the mix of styles in this building

Rooftop bar Top Banana, which is right next door to our hotel. It’s a glorified backpacker’s bar that’s so laid-back, patrons can sit next to each other and end up chatting the night away

So there you have it. I still have a lot of photos of windows and lamps that maybe I’ll do a part 2 one day — and maybe add a few more to this story…