Countries I’ve been outside the Philippines

I started traveling at the age of 30. That was my first time to leave my own country Philippines for a work abroad. Yes, I travel not for pleasure but for work or official business trip.

After hopping from one employer to another I decided to apply for a work abroad. I was lucky that time since my wife’s uncle was working and even until now in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was the one who helped me get a job in the company where he’s connected.

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Riyad is the capital and most populous city of Saudi Arabia, it is where embassies are located. It has a total land area of 1,798 km2 with a population of 6,506,700 as of 2016 wherein more than 40% are expats.

I once worked in Riyadh as an Office Administrator in an Engineering Company for 3 years. I had so much wonderful experience in that place. I made a lot of great bonds that I kept until now. If given the chance to work back in Riyadh? I would not really hesitate to move there.

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Riyadh is a home of a lot of historical areas and I am glad I had the chance to visit some of those great places during my 3 years stay. It is also interesting to note that King Abdul Aziz a former king of Saudi Arabia has 35 sons. It was not reported how many daughters he has. Now this made me wonder who among the people in the world got the highest number of children. If you happen to know please comment it below.

FACTS about Riyadh:

• Riyadh has the largest all-female university in the world, the Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University.
• Riyadh is now the commercial hub of the Kingdom
• Riyadh is a conservative city but culturally diverse
• Riyadh is the strongest commercial capital force in the country

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HONG KONG

When I stop working and got back to school (post-grad course), I joined a multi-level marketing business which triggered me to get the chance to visit the stunning country Hong Kong for FREE. Filipino associates who were based in HK invited me to come to help them endorse the business to prospective Filipinos who are based in Hongkong, Filipinos who were both in Hong Kong as plain workers or businessmen.

Hong Kong, formerly a colony of the British Empire which has become one of the most significant financial centers in the world is only about 2,755 km2 with a total population of 7,409,800 as of last year. If we will compare it to Philippines the size of this awesome country is only around 1/100 and the population is more than 10 times lower.

Hongkong features the most skycapers in the world double that of its nearest rival, New York City, I really had a wonderful time looking at those lovely giant buildings especially during night time.

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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HONGKONG:

• The official name of Hong Kong is Hong Kong SAR, SAR stands for Special Administrative Region and not Saudi Arabian Riyals (LOL)
• This small Island is consist of several other Islands all located within the area of 1,092 square kilometers.
• Hong Kong has more Rolls Royce’s per person than any other city in the world.
• Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
• Hong Kong dollar is the eighth most traded currency in the world.
• Sam’s Tailor, the famous tailor in Burlington Arcade in Hong Kong is reputed to have made clothes for heads of state and celebrities like George Bush, Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Prince Charles, Pavarotti, as well as Michael Jackson.
• Hong Kong residents believe that eating noodles on one’s birthday will bring good luck to the celebrant, they believe that he/she will have a long and blessed life.
• The world’s longest suspension bridge is in Hong Kong

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MACAU

I’ve been in Macau, the country reputed as the “Las Vegas of the East” obviously because of the presence of high-end luxury casinos for the same reason in going to Hong Kong. I helped my associates in promoting the business to Filipinos who are working there and who wants to have extra income.

Aside from being the popular destinations for gamblers, Macau also offers a unique and rich heritage of both Chinese and Portuguese cultures.

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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MACAU:

• 95% of Macau’s population is Chinese
• Macau is the only place in China where gambling or casinos are allowed.
• The largest Catholic Church in East Asia, built by Jesuits in Macau in 1580-1625 AD (If you know the name of the church kindly leave a comment below)
• It has the world's highest population density with 20,643.75 people per km2
• Half of the residents in Macau are Buddhist
• The largest casino in the World is in Macau
• The official language of Macau is Portuguese and Cantonese, so it is hard to communicate with the locals there.
• Macau is also considered as the world’s fastest growing economy.
• 20% of Macau’s population are employed by the casinos.
• 2nd longest expected life span in the world as of 2012 (84.43)
• Macau hosted 28 million tourists in 2011 alone.
• Gambling brings in more than USD33 billion of revenue
• In Macau, there are more than 4 times as many gambling tables per 1,000 residents than hospital beds, this is really amazing, LOL

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Aside from Riyadh, Hong Kong and Macau, I was able to reach some other countries also like Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar but only up to their Airports. But still, those chances add up to my overall overseas experience that I could treasure the rest of my life. I know not all people are given the chance to travel outside their own countries so I consider myself lucky.

Now, part of my dreams is to be able to experience snow and perhaps play with it before I reach my prime time so I wish that I could get the chance to visit, Japan, Korea, Canada or the United States soon.

How about you? How far have you traveled?