Maldivia 2013

I finally consider this place as one of my best places on earth #charing. Thanks to Gandas semi freebie discounts ha ha ha ha. I've been here thrice and it gives me great relief and stress free vacay. So this time, we opted to go to two resorts one is the uber best resort travel awardee #Baros and the young and new hip resort #centarafushi. Anyway, I've lost for words to write and scribe here so I think I better opt to post lots of pictures here to salivate and be amazed of what Maldives has to offer he he he

#BAROS ISLAND, MALDIVES

#CENTARA RASFUSHI, MALDIVES

Holy Land 2012 - Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv etc

I am very much grateful to the Lord for having this opportunity to travel to His Place. After a stop over in Amman for one day, we went to Israel via Mt. Nebo. The road going to Holy land was very scenic and super zigzag. Anyway, I already told in my previous post about what happened in the Border. So after successfully done with all the formalities in Israel border, we rode a bus and we went for lunch on the road. Then later we started heading to a place where Jordan River or I mean the Baptism of Jesus took place. The place was so green and lots of gardens. Here, I bought the Holy Water but the funny part here my co-traveller went straight to the river and fetched lots of water. Then later on our guide told them to throw away the water because it is not hygienic or dirty.

Then next stop, we went to Kinneret or Sea of Galilee. First we stop to the Museum and then later we went to the sea of galilee lake where we will go for boating as well as the reenactment of what Jesus way of fishing. It was really a humbling experience. And the bonus experience here is seeing rainbow over the lake it is really nice view. Then after another stop to go which is the Mount of Beatitudes. Mount of Beatitude's according to the tradition, is the place where Jesus gave his important sermon on the mountain. Here where we hiked up the hill and then went to church which is govern by sisters. And then later we went to St. Peters Place and its church and then later we went to Capernaum where jesus also preached . The best thing here was we had a special mass for our group and its really a moving and touching experience actually. Then it was getting dark and so we headed for a night going to Bethlehem. At 7pm we arrived safely in Bethlehem and took our dinner and because its really so tiring we slept right away and then the next morning we visited all the important places or sites in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is a place where Christian, Catholics and Muslim or Jews were harmoniously living. 

Then the very next day , we went straight to Tel Aviv and rode a bus for almost 2 to three hours drive. I love Tel Aviv. An old city but very clean, scenic and vibrant one. Sad to say, we just stay there for a couple of hours and then we went to Jerusalem and Nazareth. Nazareth is in Palestine and thats reality. We went to the place where Jesus spent his childhood and then another mass for our group was celebrated and for me it was very special having a mass especially during this tour.

After visited Nazareth, we spent the night in Jerusalem for 2 nights. Jerusalem is the capital city in Israel and the Holiest city of Judaism. In Jerusalem, theres a lot of Holy Sites to visit. On the first day, We Hiked going to the garden of Gethsemane and various lots of Sites. Our Last day in jerusalem, we went to this souk or called as Syrian Wall where the 14 station of the cross was held and we ended up visited the Wailing Wall of Judaism and the Mosque as well. We finished at 9pm and then went home to our hotel eat and slept.

The next day, again another holy site to visit - and that was Bethany which is in Palestine again and after mass, we went to Dead Sea for a little swimming, floating and then at lunch time we went to Jericho the old city in the world. After lunch we went straight to Eliat the border place between Egypt and Israel. We travelled the Place for almost 6 hours by Bus. At 7pm finally we arrived in Taba, Egypt and stayed in one of the finest hotel there. And that ends my Holy Land Trip. Next story Egypt!

Stunning Mountain Ranges in Israel

Nice Plantation over Israel Plateau

On the way to Jordan River

Mountain Ranges En Sepia

Welcome to Jordan River

The  Jordan River and Moi

Boat at Sea of Galilee

Jordan Trip 2012

I dont know how to start this article but I love Amman. I arrived Amman at 9:30 AM and I was thinking the weather there is not that cold but Boy outside is really cold Spell FREEZING. And this trip is a package trip, so everything was arranged by our tour guide. Amman airport is almost 30 minutes from the city so along the road we saw a lot of hills and valley and its a nice view indeed.

So around 12 o'clock we arrived in our Hotel. Finally we met our tour guide Madam Ally - She's the most lovely and well informed tourist guide. What I love about her is that there is no dull moments with her. She's funny, intelligent and witty. So that day after lunch, we went for a city tour and it was worth to see the whole Amman. FYI, Amman as the Capital city of Jordan has two parts now one is the old Amman and the other is the New Amman. The New Amman is where you can see new malls, clean pedestrians and vibrant night life while the old amman old settlers and dwellers are there. Then we went to Citadel which is one of the UNESCO heritage sites in Jordan. A very huge fort where you can see the whole view of Amman as in 360 degree view. Lots of Romans Architecture and influence. We went also to there version of Italy's Colosseum which is very huge as well. And then after the tour we went to the New Down Town Amman to eat for some lunch because actually we haven't had any lunch at all he he he. Then after taking our late lunch we headed to the Shop for some little shopping and then imagine at 5PM Jordan was already dark and its night already. So we went home and meet the  other pilgrimages and then dinner was served and the very next day, we went to Madaba in Jordan where Mt. Nebo is located. The Tour bus took us around 1 hour going to Mt. Nebo.  Mt. Nebo is a holy place where Moses died a very scenic and nice mountain ranges along the way. On top of Mt. Nebo you can see the city of Jericho and Jerusalem afar. And here where we are going to the Border between Jordan and Israel via allenby bridge. Whats the most heartening experience I had here is when I went to a little chapel  and I offered a little donation to the Franciscan Priest and He told me "Blessed You" together he gived me the Blessed Virgin Mary which I heartily accepted. 

And then later, we went down going to the Border area of Jordan and Israel. In the border it is really dramatic because each car was being checked up and it took us around an hour waiting for our turn. Upon arriving in Israel Immigration, a lot of checking and questioning. But with GODs guidance we passed through.

Amman Neighborhood is very quiet

Amman Citadel - A must to visit when your in Amman Jordan

Our Hotel in Jordan (I forgot the name) with lots of Hanging Plants adorning the wall

The Streets of Old Amman

At the store buying souvenirs from Amman Jordan

Souvenir Shops in Amman

Picture Picture on our way to Madaba Jordan

The beauty of Mount Nebo

Traveling with Indian Peeps

Hi! Dear Followers:-) I am back blogging. Well, My first article to blog is up (see the title) he he he then next will be of course my Holy Land Trip. I want to blog this now because there is lot to talk about ha ha ha. I am not writing yet the full details but I am giggling, laughing of the memories I had with them. I am laughing a lot because of course for Filipino mentality they will wonder what the heck I am joining with these Indian Mafia. But it was well worth fun traveling with them.

Well, Maybe because I have been to their country. I know some of their food and a little bit about their culture and traditions. What ever it is but they are actually the same as people in general. Okay Now I will start narrating - On that chilly Sunday Morning of November 10 - My travel agent Alfie called me up where I am because the group is there already (and I knew then its an Indian Group based from our previous discussion) and she said the other members all the way from India is already and they are ready to check-in and so I hurriedly went up to her and so I met them we are total 12. At first, I was timid but lo and behold the Abu Dhabi based Indian (they are catholics) are pretty chatter so they talked to me blah blah and so we became like instant friends.

When we arrived in Amman, Jordan - I am really thinking we are just this group the 12 pax. OMG 30 more Indian peeps all the way from Kerala are coming for this tour. I was like Huh!!! Sigh:-) indeed I was in a wrong group thats what at the back of my mind. Then Later that day, they arrived the whole group. I was thinking that this Indian will talk to their language in full throttle but I am wrong I just realized that Indian Expats or Living abroad they talked to this Indian all the way from India in straight  English some like Taglish or keralish (kerala lingo with english). And this is the first observation I did, I did not bother to ask but it seems for me they are some kind of similarity with us well maybe just like Pinoy living in the states meeting and talking with pinoy from poktoy. Ha ha ha!

Then, the next day we hopped on the bus going to Madaba one of the guys from our group I mean Indian group based from Abu Dhabi told me we will set on the rear end of the bus to accommodate this Indian Group from Kerala and then I did not hesitate to bother asking why? because I want to sit at the middle side he told me no no some of them don't want them to talk in english because they (Abu Dhabi Group) are comfortable talking in english and so I said okay. So in our group we speak all in english freely even talking to their husbands and wives. How cool is that!

But I am really surprised of this group I mean my Abu Dhabi Indian group - they are really pretty talker. They always asked me and talked to me so I did not hesitate to talk. Infact, they are like us Pinoy they are prepared for this trip so they bring all these chips and junk foods to share with me. And they fun of joking me that at the end of this trip, I should learn to talk Keralite or Malayalam ha ha ha.  and FYI, Indian Christian now I know are more Hygienic promise I did not smell any body odor except their indian dish. I have a lot to squeal but it seems I am running out of time (char)

Anyway,  at the end of the trip our group leader asked me " I hope your not lonely with this trip? " I proudly replied her " Ally, I was not lonely at all with this trip. In fact, traveling is not about nationality. It is about the bonding and communication your with with these fellows. This is not about my passport". And she said "huh so you are Indian now". I am just Laughing LOL

Devotee

I really believed that things happen for a reason. Though the reason behind will not always come right after what happened. Actually, It sometimes comes late. So these past few weeks a lot of things really happened to me from my work, incident, etc etc. And this really test my faith, then I came to realize that Honestly, I don't have strong faith or bond with the Lord. I sometimes neglected Him.

Then one day, I went to the church and talked to HIM. In the church, I saw a lot of Banners about the newly canonized Saint Pedro Calungsod. I am not always fascinated or I am not a strong believer of Saints. Back in my college days when I tried attending other christian churches, they don't really encourage or believe on saints. But then that day,  I realize that, thats why people with lots of misfortunes or especially poor families back in my home country always look for something to devote not just to our LORD because I think, they feel that saints will guide and help them pray as well to the LORD and free from all these anxieties. This is not about being cult or pagan because we are not offering something like food etc. And that's what my realization now, that why not give this a try devoting myself not just to our LORD Jesus Christ but also to our Patron Saint of OFW Beato Pedro Calungsod. Nothing will lose not even myself.

And now every day I always say a Prayer for special intentions to Blessed Pedro Calungsod:

"My Lord, In your grace you have shown through your servant, Beato Pedro Calungsod, the sublime prize of following you; His youthful fervor on defending the faith that earned him the title to be called Blessed; thus in confidence, I humbly call unto him to pray with me, and to intercede for this urgent favor(make a request) and that through his glorious life I may try to emulate him together with Mother Mary, who have with out reserve said yes to your will. Amen"