2012: A Year of Travels

by Regin Reyno

A few more weeks from now, 2012 will be over and we will welcome another new year. As we go nearer to the end of this year, I can't help but look back at 2012 and reminisce the many blessings that God has bestowed. This year has been a year full of travels. And looking back, I can't help but thank God and marvel at His goodness.  

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalms 136:1

I'd like to thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity to travel, to experience the different culture, and scenery of the different places in this world-and for keeping me safe in my travels. I'd  like also to thank the people who've been part of my 2012 travels.


1. January 2012: Manila Historical Tour
Manila, Philippines
2 days and 1 night 


A visit in the Philippine's capital city. We explored the historical sites of our country such as Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, Manila Cathedral, Rizal Park, and the UNESCO World Heritage site San Agustin Church. A visit in Manila also allowed us to meet my childhood buddies. 




2. March 2012: KPIS Field Trip
Samut Songkhram, Thailand 
2 days and 1 night 

An all expense-paid trip, courtesy of KPIS. We toured the salt marsh in Klong klone and had a tree planting in the mangrove forest. They housed us in a 3 star hotel resort by the Mae klong river. 

The next day we were able to experience the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market.

Damnoen Saduak floating market

3. April 2012: The Southern Summer Adventure
Krabi, Thailand
4 days and 5 nights

Songran holiday! Yey! One week holiday. We headed to the South of Thailand and experienced the world-class beaches of Krabi. White sand, magnificient karsts, turquoise clear waters, and laid-back environment. My most wonderful beach experience ever.

Poda Bay 

4. May 2012: Krabi Luxurious Weekend
Krabi, Thailand
3 days and 4 nights

During our stay in Krabi in April, it was high season because of the Songkran holiday. How about Krabi in low season? We went there in May, a low season for tourists, and it felt like we  owned the beaches. Few people were on that place, a relaxing feeling experience indeed. 

We rented a motorbike and drove around with the sea and mountains as our view.

We stayed in Centara Anda Dhevi Resort and Spa Krabi sponsored by Thai ASEAN News Network (TAN Network). 

Centara Anda Dhevi Resort and Spa Krabi 

5. June 2012: KBM Advance Party
Siem Reap, Cambodia
4 days and 3 nights


In preparation for our Klement Backpacking in Ministry in July, I and my buddy Franz of In The Land of Zmiles: The Klement Family went to our mission field to have a survey. We stayed there for 4 days and 3 nights. We went to Wat Preah Yesu orphanage and had an arrangement for our minsitry in July. We also toured Angkor Wat and experienced the sunrise over it for the first time. 

exploring the temples of Angkor 

6. June 2012: Jakarta Luxurious Weekend
Jakarta, Indonesia
2 days 2 nights

A weekend in a five-star hotel called Sunlake at the heart of Indonesia's capital city. Good food, AirAsia, local cuisines, city tour, and the ASEAN Basketball League finals game. I wrote an article for the league's website about my experience here.

Sunlake Hotel 

All expenses sponsored by ASEAN Basketball League. 

7. July 2012: Klement Backpacking and Ministry
Siem Reap, Cambodia and Bangkok, Thailand 
11 days

The highlight of 2012. Klement, my batch in college went to Bangkok and Siem reap for an 11-day mission-driven backpacking trip. One of the most memorable trips of my life.

A travel full of laughter, happiness, love, and fulfillment. 

Klement backpackers at Ta Phrom Temple 

8. August 2012: Pai Relaxation
Pai, Thailand
4 days and 5 nights 

After a hectic schedule during the ministry and backpacking trip, I needed a break. What better way to do it than to head to the mountains of Northern Thailand and be in touch with the nature there.

rocking the SEA Backpacker t-shirt in Pai

9. September 2012: Pattaya Adventure
Pattaya, Thailand
2 days and 1 night

A weekend in Pattaya, a resort city 2 hours from Bangkok. It is here where I did the scariest activity of my life; Bungy jumping. 

10. October 2012: Backpacking Burma
Yangon and Bagan, Burma
6 days and 5 nights

My first international solo travel, I enjoyed Burma a lot. I finally saw the Shwedagon Pagoda, thus fulfilling one of my bucket lists. I immersed myself into their culture by talking to the locals and tasting their cuisines. 

Sunrise at Bagan, beholding the sunset while laying on the grass, the overnight bus to Bagan from Yangon, horse carts, betel nut experience, were the highlights of my trip. I will definitely go back for Mandalay and Inle Lake. 

beholding the sunset in Bagan 

11. December 2012: Philippine Vacation 

Davao, Bukidnon, Isabela, and Ifugao, Philippines
2 Weeks 

A 2-week Christmas vacation allowed me to spend time with my family in Bukidnon. But before that, I stayed in Davao City to meet "someone". We had dinner at Jack's Ridge. It was amazing. 

My parents and I visited Isabela, the province where I grew up. It was good seeing old friends in the compound where I spent my childhood.

I, then, spent, a lot of time seeing classmates, and having class reunions; both elementary (SAES) and high school (NELA) classmates.

It was capped by a visit to the 8th Wonder of the World, then headed to Clark Airport on New Year's Day bound for my home in Bangkok, where my dog, Kimi, was waiting for me. (Thanks, Franz and Jomay, for taking care of him in my apartment when I was gone).

going in local at Banaue Rice Terraces 

That was my 2012 travels.



In October 2012, I received an email, inviting me to join BlogFest Asia on November 1-5, 2012. It is a bloggers festival in Siem Reap, Cambodia. They will bear my daily expenses and accommodation and reimburse my one-way flight. Unfortunately, I had classes (and was still scared to prioritized travel) so I declined.

If I had accepted it, I would have travelled almost every month this year. It was indeed a busy year, going places.

Thank you, Lord, for these opportunities and for the protection.


-written in October 2012, updated in December 2012.

-latest update: October 2019. 


Which one is your favorite place amongst my 2012 travels?

You can also check my 2011 travels here. 

This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Blogger's Blog Carnival for December 2012 with the theme 

"2012:This Year In Travel" hosted by Gay Mitra-Emami of Pinay Travel Junkie

and Regine Camille Garcia of Between Coordinates. 

 For previous Pinoy Travel Bloggers' Blog Carnival topics, click the logo below.