About

Hi, my name is  Freddie MirandaFrom A Traveller’s Desk is my personal travel blog, where I share stories, tips and anything about travel.  With this in mind, please feel comfortable interacting with me, thus, sharing your love of travelling.

Yes, travelling is my passion, there's no doubt about it. I was not born with a silver spoon, more so, that I finished my bachelor’s degree on my own.  During my university days, travelling is still in my mind. I always keep looking at my map - telling myself that one day, I will be here, there -- and everywhere.

It was only when I was working with two prestigious companies in the Philippines – United Laboratories, Inc (Unilab) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) - that I started planning to go.  I know it was the right time, I had education, experience, and money to break the ice....and so I started rolling the wheels.

I had left an excellent job and a budding career, and all the comfort of life with my family -- basically just dropping everything -- in order to search for "something."

My big plan was set and I had to leave bound for the Middle East. I accepted a one-year contract with an American firm, Daniel International (SA) Ltd. in alKhobar, a large city located in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

True enough, the job is exactly what I had in the two prestigious companies that I mentioned earlier. My job was very challenging - welcoming new hires coming from all over the world, giving them orientation based on their contract, giving them an idea on the facts of life in the Kingdom; give them advice on how to live a life away from their families, and making sure all of them feel comfortable throughout their stay. It was, indeed, very challenging because I was new in the Kingdom myself!

In so short period of time, I have started travelling to Asian countries which I thought would be a good start. Although it was a very pleasant and memorable experience with the company, I felt I deserve more and so I decided to move to a state-owned oil company of the Kingdom -- Saudi Aramco where 65,000 workers were employed by the time I started sitting and occupying a post in a world class office facilities in Dhahran. It was my longest stint on the job in a foreign land.  Needless to say, the company offers the most attractive compensation/benefits and very comfortable accommodation.

It was the company and the type of work and opportunity I deserve. Living in Saudi Arabia offers expatriate employees and their families the opportunity to discover a new country and culture. Typically, Saudi Aramco employees like me also develop strong multinational friendships, enjoy plenty of family and recreational time, and travel the world.

Yes, travelling to at least 50 countries (or even more!) is a long standing goal of mine. During my stay with Saudi Aramco, I managed to see a quarter of the number of places at different destinations. And I know... this is just the beginning.

With all the conveniences and travel opportunities, I felt I am still missing something.  Happy as I may be, the thought of my family away from me really made me think of something in perspective.

I left the Kingdom bound for Canada, and this time with the whole family. It was not easy at first; the cost of living, the work condition, the people around us keeps on haunting me. I was trying to cope with the hardship until one day I wake up and promise myself to just do what I needed to do. I did not let the money that I brought to Canada run out. I succeeded -- and a better life begins!

I am a citizen of Canada for more than two decades now.  It was then that our adventures started to flourish.  I guess it's just difficult to sum up a life's story into a few paragraphs.

Yes, my adventures began.

Generally, for the most part, a travelogue detailing my experiences, good or bad,  on my travels. It documents my journey through lifenature, and the world, as I photograph and write about places, wondersevents, and the people.

The photos posted with my travels were taken by me.  Otherwise, I seek the sources from my family, friends, friends of friends and from some promising professional photographers.

Come and join me in my travels.  Come visit my blog before and after your journey or even in the midst of your escapades. Together, we will continue to discover the globe.

It is not possible to keep them to ourselves. Let us share the value of our travel experiences and discoveries with friends. If you'd like to share your passion, please join me.

             
This is what this blog is all about. Read on......

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Nature

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand what I am talking about.

As what John Burroughs is saying,"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
A View of Alqonquin Park in Ontario Canada
Architecture

For some reason, I admire the works of a person who build an art beyond my imagination.

Mind you, I am not an architect, but I do see what Leonardo da Vinci is saying, "There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see."

A View of Himeji Castle in Himeji Japan
People

One of my intentions while travelling is to meet and connect with the local people. Yes, I made it -- I have made the best of friends in most countries I visited.

James Michener once say, “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”
People of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Life

I want to see the life of people in other countries, their family, their cultures, their memories, their story, and how the life goes in their world.

"There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way."
- Christopher Morley

Life is what we make it!
Music 

I can only feel that I am in another country when I hear the best of their local music.  I can also feel the people by the music they listen to.

An unknown author once say, "Music is what feelings sound like."

Music Festival in Toronto Ontario Canada
God

Although I put God at the bottom of my list, I always trust myself that I put Him on top of my head especially when I am up on the air.

"The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too." - Unknown

Hands of Jesus in Lucban - Quezon Philippines

From the desk of: 
Freddie Miranda
A blogger and a Canada-based freelance writer. He shares the value of his travel experiences and discoveries with his friends and fellow travellers. Share your passion, join and visit him. Send a message @ fromatravellersdesk(at)gmail(dot)com.

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