I would love to see China. It’s not on our schedule at the moment, just because it’s such a big trip in itself, but we will make it there one day.

And, I would whole-heartedly recommend London. I’d be interested to hear your take on it as a visitor. On the plus side, there’s the history, the vibrancy, the cosmopolitan aspect. On the down side, there’s the aggression and heavy-duty drunkenness on the weekends. I suspect there’s also scams.

I think we’ll pop into Singapore. Was there anything you did there that really stood out as amazing? It was a British colonial creation, pretty much, so it’s something I’d be interested to see…

Honestly, I haven’t been to the many places you have visited in south east Asia. I have only been to Singapore and Malaysia. Which do I like best? Singapore! Because of its super cosmopolitan feel and disciplined citizens, I feel like I’m always safe there. And! That’s where the culture of the West blends with the Asian culture, which is kind of a unique thing to see in Asia. (evident on the cities, its history and language)

And of course, the Philippines. That’s where I’m from! I will always love it, despite the many corruption practices exercised by both politicians and citizens, particularly the taxi drivers (!). hahaha. I moved here in the U.S. together with my family two years ago, and aside from the Philippine heat that I miss, I miss the warm hospitality of my countrymen. Sigh. I wish we were a jet setter like you.

I hope you’ll get the chance to go to China someday! I want to see some pictures 🙂 I think it’s a pretty interesting place. I learned from my history class that at least one aspect of one Asian country’s culture came from China.

Oh and I want to go to London! hahaha.

Probably a toss-up between the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos. Gosh! That doesn’t narrow it much, does it?

The Philippines are easier to get around as a monoglot, and it’s easier to meet people, obviously, because of the language issue. There’s an amazing and very diverse landscape, people are overwhelmingly sweet and lovely, and I am, in a warped way, very fond of Manila. I would have liked to got more into the art scene: we missed a couple of openings, and it would have been interesting to see that side of things.

However, as a cheesy Westerner, there’s a historic appeal and a magic to Theravada Buddhist nations, old IndoChina, the early S-E Asian city states that tips me towards Cambodia and Laos. Angkor Wat does absolutely floor you. And then there is, of course, the Mekong, which is one of those hypnotic rivers, like the Amazon or the Yangtze, that has a power all its own.

So I’ll keep thinking about it. The Philippines is Z’s favourite so far…

What about you? Where do you stand?