How to transition from the old year to the new

Essential ingredients for this activity: 

         1. one old year

         2. one new year

         3. two days and one night

         4. one Family

         5. a pint of wit 

         6. a dash of humor and

         7. all the love in the world

Instructions:

Make sure that all the members of the family are present. non-members may not join just so the attention on each participant will not be spread out too thin to the point of neglecting some legit member. Relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers will have their time in the course of the year.

Move out of your residence for the moment. A place that you haven't been to and with awesome amenities is best to add a touch of thrill and intimacy. A suite on the 16th floor overlooking the most picturesque part of the resort will hold better memories.

Book a gala new year's dinner and dress up for it in comfortable casuals. Stiff and formal attire may be too restrictive for the dance that is part of this activity.

Join in the count-down activity while making sure that each family member is just an arms-length away. hugging and kissing is imperative at the stroke of 12. Make sure you indulge the alcoholic drinks moderately to give just the right amount of high without falling asleep too early.

Bedtime is flexible. Some games and more food and drink may cap the night before getting that well-earned sleep.

Wake up the next day anytime you want. Early, will give you a good dose of sunrise while waking up late will give more feeling to the holiday.

Enjoy your breakfast slowly. Make sure the family is all around one table. Offer to get food for someone and help each other out with unfinished food on the plate.

A swim or just lazing around the pool until check out time is the best way to maximize your stay.

After checking out, drive to a place where the family hasn't been to before. Crossing the Bhumibol bridge 1 & 2 will give a feeling of grandeur.

You can take a ferry across the Chao Phraya river to add thrill and excitement. It will also give a taste of how the pre-bridge era people went about their lives.

Exit the ferry and drive to a place that they call the "green lung of Bangkok." the satellite image shows why it is called as such. no malls, no commercial buildings, no parking lots, no congested streets, etc. just country roads and residential structures.

Coffee break at a quaint roadside shop will help shake off the hangover.

Drop by Bang Nam Pheung floating market and try out the slingshots. 

Head back over the same bridge but this time with a better view of the city of Bangkok.

Late lunch of delicious Mexican food and San Miguel beer at La Monita is one great way to end this activity. 

Note: The most important ingredient in this activity is the presence of God and that we acknowledge that He is the giver of life and happiness. 

Thank you Jesus for another year for this family!

a pedal-pusher's confession

Biking is euphoric, but not orgasmic... or maybe - yes.

the following contrasting scenarios prove the point:

first scene: 

8 hours of sitting at the office with your fingers at the keyboard. you shift your butt side-side and forward-back. you stretch a leg and then the other then you take a small stroll to the toilet and back. that's it!

second scene:

you jump on the saddle, kick the pedals and gain momentum through the river of cars. wind pushes on the face and ears. you try to beat the red light at the junction or pass a bus that has just left the bus stop. a high bridge looms before you and you climb it with your heart in a wild gallop. down the opposite side is a rush without a care in the world.

the year 2015 saw the following fulfilled:

1. total kilometers done: 3,524. for an idea on the distance, the  Aparri to Jolo road distance is 1,809km)
2. total elevation gained: 7,982 meters
3. total time on the saddle: 183:16:08
4. total number of trips: 102
5. weight lost: from 82 kg to 75.5 kg = 6.5kg gone
6. waist circumference reduction: 36 to 33 = 3 inches less
7. blood pressure stabilized at 130/75 when before it was 140/90
8. regular prostate massage = BPH gone and voiding is unhindered
9. number of accidents: 1 (had to brake hard to avoid a taxi that    stopped so suddenly, grazing a knee on the pavement in the process)

   

Christmas Ride 2015

Christmas for the filipino staff at Yanhee Int'l Hospital means driving to the farm of Dr. Suphot in the province 55 to 65 kilometers from Bangkok (depending on the route taken). 

This year a bicycle came in handy to take this biker to the farm. It was 12:45 when the trip began and the noontime heat was turned on full blast.

traffic at highway 9 - Kanchanaphisek, was moderate. This is the best setup for biking because the bike travels faster than the cars

and the chance of being hit by a speeding car is much less. That is the Westgate mall at Bang Bua Thong.

Mir beside the icon of Nakhon Pathom province where you can find the

most tasty pato in Thailand. Scramble the letters of Nakhon Pathom and you can end up with Khaon Patho... which means "eat duck" in the cebuan dialect :-)

the boundary marker between Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi provinces

dirt road biking with fresh and sweet air, which made this cyclist
miss motherland so much.

party!!!

the next morning finds Mir parked by some prawn farm for a selfie

mr. sun is inching his way over the tree-tops through

the thick haze in the direction of Bangkok.

fields of sweet potatoes - kamote.

breakfast by the road = pa tong ko and coffee-flavored nam tau hu.

this treat was unexpected because the season was long past.

the lady was just putting up her display and this guy was her first customer for the day. the durian was 80 Baht/kg, but she gave it for 60 Baht because Thais don't like ripe and soft durian. they say the smell is too strong and the meat too soft and yucky when it is ripe - just perfect for the pinoy cyclist.

the gps tracing of the trip to the farm

1,138 calories spent felt so good.

the trip back to Bangkok through a shorter route.

Celebrating Christmas on the road at the countryside was exhilarating and fun. Happy birthday to my Savior and King - Jesus.

Bike for Dad

His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej turned 89 years old this year (2015). To celebrate his birthday the crown prince - the king's only son, organized a "Bike for Dad" event similar to the "Bike for Mom" earlier this year for the Queen.

This type of activity - involving 2 wheels and a set of pedals, is one that this writer looks forward to with much anticipation. Equipment and apparel have to be sorted out and ready a few weeks earlier and muscles have to be toned and strong for the long ride.

A day prior to this event, the youngest member of "Team Moreno" started coughing, which threatened to derail her chances of participating. She was immediately started on antibiotics and the next day she confidently declared that she was good and strong. Nothing can stop her from this auspicious ride.

Team Moreno - at Rama IV road beside Chitralada Palace before

the start of the ride.

identical bikes and smiles

a cruiser blocks the road to allow the VIPs to pass first before we could join the main crowd. This is just one block from the starting point.

all kinds of bikes and attitudes brought together for this memorable tribute to the king.

Noah and the granddaughter

central world mall to the left.

at the Ratchaprasong junction were the recent bombing took place

approaching Siam Paragon

This is how quiet it was before the bikers descended en masse.

Siam Paragon reverberating with chants and cheers

this rider was soaking in the fun like she owned the road

taking the route back home while the rest of the riders turn right to complete the 29 kilometers. 

note the pavement.... extra smooth - with a new layer of asphalt done just for this event.

Phayathai road deserted and free for pedestrians. Team Moreno heads back home with a lot of memories.

some clouds kept the heat of the midday sun from scorching us and at the same time presenting a spectacular show of God's amazing glory. Thank you Jesus!