ss_blog_claim=4375a24a387c83f4eed499d80865d1d1

Life's Journey - Search here...

Custom Search
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

We'll Be Off to Portsmouth 'Til Sunday

We are leaving in an hour time, heading to my in-laws place, stay overnight there and tomorrow we'll be driving down towards the South Coast of England - in PORTSMOUTH. Portsmouth is the UK's only island city and is located on Portsea Island. A significant naval port for centuries, Portsmouth is home to the world's oldest dry dock still in use and home to many famous ships, including Nelson's flagship HMS Victory.

It is one of my dad-in-laws passions, to see old and huge ships! So its gonna be hubby and myself with his both parents. We'll be staying there for 5 days! So see you guys when we come back, am gonna miss you friends...

Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Monday, January 26, 2009

Luxury Travel in Latin America

Have you ever dreamed of having a luxurious vacation to Latin America? Global crisis is hitting us right now and we might be worried of what is going to happen, so we end up of sitting at home doing nothing trying to save up money. Let us be optimistic and why not considering of taking off, and go for a luxury vacation instead?

Luxury Travel in Latin America won't find endless listings of every so-called 5-star hotel in Buenos Aires or dozens of resorts in Puerto Vallarta. Come and check and book now.
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Burj Al Arab Hotel - World's Most Luxurious and Only 7-Star Hotel

How many of your guys have already been to this place? Or have been wanting to visit this place? Have you ever dreamed to go this place one day? Hubby and I would really want to only if there's someone who would be willing to give us a present, obviously we could not afford this! $2,600 at least per person a night is a bit too much really. Maybe we'll pay ourselves if we win the Euro-Million Lottery... (we're not actually playing)... THIS IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!

BURJ AL ARAB HOTEL, Dubai, which was opened in 1999, is unofficially billed as a 7-star hotel and is the world's most luxurious and tallest hotel.

Designed to resemble a billowing sail, the hotel soars to a height of 321 metres, dominating the Dubai coastline. The hotel's own website describes it as the best in the world. With your chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers who provide around-the-clock attention, this hotel promises the finest the world has to offer.


Here are a selection of pictures to give you a taste of what you can look forward to as a guest.
Al Falak Ballroom

Al Mahara Restaurant

Royal Suite
Jacuzzi
Atrium
The Lobby
The view at night, when it is surrounded by color sculptures of water and fire.
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Monday, October 27, 2008

Our Paradise Experience at Panglao Island Nature Resort

It was a last-minute decision, unplanned and our very first to visit this magnificent resort in this Tropical Island Paradise in Panglao Island located in Bohol. When we first decided to go to Philippines to visit my family, we thought of just staying in our island (Hingotanan Island), to spend time with my parents. But when we started talking about the amount of visitors we're going to have everyday, we both said, uuummm 6 days stay in our island alone is a bit too much! For this reason, I contacted my favorite travel agent, and apparently I booked for a 3 days/2 nights stay in this resort, in a SEAVIEW BUNGALOW. Amazing place indeed! This is a perfect gateaway place to escape the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle.

There are two things that make this resort special among the many resorts located in this island of Bohol, first is the green landscape composed of various species of trees and plants; and second is the open swimming pool with a magnificent view of the resort’s white sand beach. This made skinny dipping into the warm water of the pool during night time romantic and peaceful. Another attraction of the resort is a man-made islet located just a few meters away from the beach. This man made islet serves as a diving and snorkeling spot during high tide.
The day we got there, we spent the whole afternoon indulging in exploring the beach, taking photographs. You know the way all their cottages being built in the cliffs, is so impressive! Even you look up from the beach, the view from there is spectacular! Their exquisitely charming thatched roof villas overlooking breathtaking views of the sea, and each bungalow is furnished with a private jacuzzi, mini-bar and refrigerator, remote control air-conditioning, IDD/NDD telephone facilities, cable television and 24-hour housekeeping service to make your stay in this paradise a sheer indulgence. The guestrooms, each with its private lanai, are clustered into beachfront and garden view cottages. An enclave of cliff side and garden cottages with its unique view of the sea. All I can say is that, the foods at this is also superb! The resort's restaurant serves various local delicacies prepared in a Boholano way. You can also enjoy this food at its gazeebo-type restaurant, beautiful really.
Why not trying to experience this paradise... To know its complete services and amenities, please click here.

Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Friday, October 24, 2008

Shopping 'til 12midnight at SM Mall of Asia!

The moment we arrived at Singapore after a 13-hour flight, I was feeling so exhausted plus I didn't manage to get some sleep since I was watching movies. We were on economy section but the movies the airlines has had to offer were absolutely good! So I ended up of staying awake most of the times, maybe only 1-2 hours sleep. As a result, I said to my hubby & myself that the moment we arrive Manila, I will be sleeping and we'll just see my sisters the following day.
We arrived between 6-7pm at the hotel (it was Saturday), I phoned them up as soon as we settled down, and apparently, they were all waiting for us to have dinner outside. Relaxed for about 30 minutes, and we didn't even bother to take shower. So we headed down to the "SM Mall of Asia". What a big surprise to me that it was a MID-NIGHT SALE until Sunday. Lucky huh I should say... imagine you can buy 2 for the price of one, and I was looking forward to it since we don't normally buy in the UK due to their prices, as in extremely expensive!! Look at the happy faces of my sisters huh...of course the big sister too.
I saw my sisters again, I was so pleased to see all of them, as well as my auntie and cousin. We had dinner and went shopping straight away! WOW!!.. shopping again after almost a year. Was funny, because I was so energetic the whole night, while I was very tired just few hours before we arrived. My hubby was just laughing at me, since he knew for the fact that I can't really resist shopping!! hehehe. He must be my husband then, hahaha!!!

We went to the men's section first for his working shorts and shirts, then he sat down after having been taken all he wanted, and its my turn...yepppeyyyyy... I told to my sisters to get 1 pair of trousers (jeans) and 2 blouses for each of them, or they can take anything they want for a total of P2k! You know, it was just amazing to see the happy faces of my sisters, it was also like a bonding time for us, though we didn't spend much time in Manila with them. It was almost 11 o'clock when everybody was finished, while my hubby was sitting looking bored and sleepy. Oh dear, poor boy... Anyway, though we were really worned-out, and had my toes hurting me much, so we had to look for sandals, only after we went to the sea side to have something to eat and drink (photo above). We stayed for about 45 minutes and headed inside the shop again to look for my sandals. Yes, we did manage.
We were back at the hotel at around 12:30 midnight!! Phew, it was after a long taxi queue... in the middle of the night, there were still hundreds of people walking around. We took shower the moment we arrived, and sleep like dead!! The following morning, we woke up at around 9am, dressed up and headed down to my hair dresser to have had my hair relaxed and apply cellophane, straight to my derma and went back to MOA again...hahaha... a never ending shopping... well we only took advantage of the cheap stuffs!!

Now, we had a problem of how to fit those in to our suitcases, the fact that we still had all the presents for people in Bohol where my parents are.
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Have Flown from Singapore to Manila


Before, when I go on a month break at work or vacation, I used to travel to Philippines via Hongkong from Johannesburg, for a total of 13-14 hours flying time, every single year! Currently, I travel with my husband to the UK (as my contract base), so we go from Johannesburg to London-Heathrow, which we then we decided to go to Philippines to visit my family last September. We had flown by Singapore Air which is via Singapore, through online booking. It was my very first time to see their airport, and it was lovely. The only trouble that we had was, it was a very long flight. Imagine a total of 13 hours from London Heathrow to Singapore, plus another 4 hours from Singapore to Manila.

Singapore Changi Airport is a major aviation hub in Asia, particularly in the Southeast Asian region, and is the main airport in Singapore. I was so impressed really how they managed to connect their various terminals by trains, railings on sky ways. Also, beautiful trees and gardens which being taken care off well by their staffs. We took some photographs of ourselves while waiting for our flight to Manila.
We planned to go for a free three-hour city tour, but we didn't realize that we have to have at least 5 hours allowance before our next flight! Actually, we arrived at Singapore more than 5 hours before our next flight, but since we stopped for coffee (before inquiring regarding the tour), we have missed it. Never mind, better luck next time.

Please click here to read more about Singapore airport.
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

We Visited The DRUSILLAS Park in Sussex

Lovely area with animals housed in natural settings. With my sister-in-law, her husband and son, my hubby and I altogether. We arrived there at about lunch time, from Kent to Sussex. With hundreds of fascinating and entertaining creatures, there is plenty of animal magic to enthral and excite everyone from the youngest to the oldest visitor!

But animals are only half the fun at Drusillas Playland is paradise for anyone who needs to let off steam, packed with slides and swings, ropes and climbable things. And that’s not all...they’ve got:
Award winning Drusillas Park is widely regarded as the best small zoo in the country and is fast becoming recognized as one of the most popular places for children in the south east of England. With over 130 animal species in naturalistic environments there is plenty to enthral everyone from the youngest to the oldest visitor.

Animals include the popular meerkats where children can climb inside a dome to get really close to the animals, as well as penguins, otters, beavers, lemurs, gibbons, a range of monkeys, and a walk-through bat enclosure to name but a few.

There is also Petworld, which contains everything from rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets to cockroaches, stick insects and giant land snails while the Petting Barn provides an opportunity to stroke and groom a variety of friendly goats.
Enjoy a creepy crawly experience at Bugworld, which houses a wide variety of spiders and insects. You can also watch some of the animals being fed such as the penguins at 11.30am and 4.00pm and the otters at 3.15pm daily. However, animals are only half the Drusillas experience.

Playland, including Monkey Kingdom, has masses of climbing, sliding, jumping and swinging fun thoughtfully separated for different age groups. Indoors there is Amazon Adventure, a state-of-the-art soft play complex, as well as the Toddler Village and Toy Stables which are a hit with the under 6s.
Plus Thomas & FriendsTM, including Annie and Clarabel, have steamed into Drusillas offering unlimited train rides around the park! In addition to this there is also the Zoolympics Challenge, the Animal Spotter Books and Stamping Trail, Jungle Adventure Golf, Panning for Gold*, Penguin Plunge*, Vertical Limit*, the Discovery Centre and Wacky Workshop*, Explorers Restaurant, Oasis Café, five shops plus an interesting and varied event diary which runs throughout the year.
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Bonding with my Family in UK

Few weeks before we went home in UK, we were already told that my hubby's Dad was going to have his operation on his right arm (not entirely sure if right or left side). In any case, we didn't make any plan at all of going to anywhere around UK apart from our plan to visit my family in the Philippines, though we were not sure either if we could as well. Is short, it was depending on his Dad's condition when we get home! Anyhow, we didn't know the plan was changed until we arrived (his parents picked us up at the airport), and they both told us that his operation was moved to another month later. As usual, they were both pleased to see us again, though he had to wait for another month and would go through experiencing occasional pains. I really felt sad when I heard the news, but happy at the same because this would mean for us to have time together, going around the county or any places altogether.
We arrived on a Friday morning (which normally is unless we decide to change our flights), which we generally stay over the weekend and go to our flat by beginning of the week (either Monday or Tuesday morning). My mother in-law always prepares special English foods for us during our stay in their place, which is why I have put on so much weight! LOL, uuummm blaming my mother-in-law and her food or not doing any exercise at all! hehehe... I tell you what, every single time we come back from vacation, every one would notice that I put on weight again, and MUST BE THE ENGLISH FOODS!!

By the way, speaking about putting on weight after marriage, seriously, I have read one article about how the lifestyle of married couple changes as soon as you get married (only to those stay together). I would wish to stay single again, hehehe...


Anyway, it was nice to see my hubby's nephew Alfie as well. He has grown up a lot since last April, he is as cheeky boy as ever!...whatever he sees around, he'll try to do it himself...he is such a clever child really. So they had to buy small things for almost anything in the house, from broom, pail, hoover, brush & dustpan set, etc... as you can see, he waters the plants.

September was such a lovely time of year, Autumn and close to winter, which you begin to feel the cold puff of air. We've really had experienced a nice weather when we were there, not until the last week before we left. In some stage, we went out to buy plants for our future garden, but then we didn't have much time to finish it.
____________________________________________________

Related articles:
London City Walk - A Walk I Would Never Forget
Visited Beautiful CORNWALL
Lovely Time At St. Ives, Cornwall
Adventure In Geevor Tin Mine
Visited England For The Very First Time

Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Hermanus, South Africa Break

It was the late of 2005 when my husband and I went to HERMANUS in South Africa (he was still my boyfriend back then), we both spent for about a week together and I stayed for another 3 weeks with our Filipina friend (who married to a South African guy), only to enjoy my 1 month visit visa to enter the country.

It was September, a season which you can experience watching huge whales!
The Hermanus Whale Festival normally takes over a 4 day period, the seaside village becomes a smorgasbord of music, theatre, arts and crafts. The southern right whales are the main attraction and come to the coastline to calve and nurse their babies.



This area is exactly where we watch massive whales, watching them playing.



Then we went on top of the mountain to see the beauty of the town. Indeed, it was a perfect day and truly a very beautiful place..




Flower Festival was one of the highlights in Hermanus during the time between September to October. Look at these 3 gorgeous flower species we saw there, these were only from among hundreds of them! Shame I didn't take more...






Hermanus lies along the shores of Waker Bay near the Southern most tip of Africa. The magnificent mountains of the Overberg towers over the town - home of the Southern Right Whale. The Brydel Whales can be found all year round. Whale enthusiasts and nature lovers from all over the world visit this place to enjoy these magnificent creatures playing and frolicking. This place is the best land based whale watching destination in the world and is known as the heart of the whale route.
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Pride of BOHOL


Being a proud "boholana", let me tell you something about my place. Small yet very nice, lovely place to stay, you can see loads of reserved places, beaches, animals, and so many others that you could not find in any other visayas places anymore. People in Bohol have managed to maintain it, probably because its reputation and promoting tourism.

Sometimes the best experiences in traveling are the unexpected finds. And so it is with Bohol, that island province that is nestled in the heart of Central Visayas and is aptly called "God's Little Paradise" by those who are caught off-guard by its mystery and charm.

Located southeast of Cebu and southwest of Leyte, Bohol is comprised of 47 towns and its capital, Tagbilaran City. Oval in shape like the proverbial ubing kinampay or purple yam, its total land area is 411,726 hectares including 73 other islands and islets. Upon hearing about Bohol, most people would surmise it to be a typical uncolorful province with only the world-famous Chocolate Hills as its attraction. But the marvelous 1,001 nature-perfected conic hills aren't all there is. Blessed with Mother Nature's bounty, Bohol has numerous natural attractions that will captivate a person, hold him in breathless admiration and beckon him to keep coming back for more.

Bohol's beauty lies in its unpolluted waters and shorelines of white sand beaches. Lovers of scuba diving can explore the depths of Bohol's waters which are rated among the best diving havens in the world and famous not only for its richness in marine life and corals but also for its being the home of the world's rarest shells such as the Gloria Maris and the Golden Cowry.

it is also the home of the Tarsier, the big-eyed insect insect-eating primate whose size is smaller than one's fist. Scientists regard the tarsier as the oldest mammal now inhabiting the earth.

Other added attractions are waterfalls amidst verdant forests, caves with stalagmites and stalactites, natural parks, exotic wildlife, centuries old churches, and many historical landmarks. Delicacies too, which are truly Boholano like the sticky concoction in a coconut shell called calamay, mouth-watering peanut kisses, hojaldres, kinatloan and many more.

Bohol has a rich historical and cultural heritage. History tells us that the first international peace treaty, otherwise known as the "Blood Compact" between Sikatuna and Legazpi, was made on the island.

Boholanos are said to be valiant in character as accounted for by the Tamblot and Dagohoy rebellions. At the same time they are peaceful, self-reliant and deeply religious. But the peace-loving Boholanos are not docile, weak or submissive people when their rights are trampled or provoked.

Determined to go with the national trend towards progress, the province has now joined the bandwagon of urban and countryside development. Industries have sprouted along continuous improvement of infrastructure and other physical resources. Like her booming neighbor Cebu, Tagbilaran is already fast becoming highly commercialized with increased trading activities. And with the recent declaration of Panglao Island as the first tourism estate in the country, investors keep pouring in.

It's only a matter of time, given the necessary impetus for economic development, that progress for Bohol will finally be achieved. And this dream is not far behind considering the resiliency and industry of the Boholano people.

Come to Bohol and taste a different kind of experience as its surprises unfold to pleasure and thrill.
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

BOHOLANA - "BISDAK", Pride of Bohol


When I was still at university in Manila (Philippines Christian University), in my block section, I was the only one from Bohol. There were from other Visayas provinces but not exactly from where I came from. I tell you what, when everybody learned that I was from "J" and "H" place, they started teasing me by talking boholano way. But to tell you honestly, I never ever learned the correct way of speaking boholano, due to the fact that we used Cebuano in our island than boholano. Even here at work, all the Filipinos tease me all the time. The truth is, I am from Bohol, whether I speak boholano or cebuano, still I am a very proud "Boholana".

BOHOLANO
is a local dialect of Cebuano/Visayan that is spoken in the island of Bohol. It is sometimes described as a separate language, as it is a dialect only for Boholano people.

Boholano, especially the dialects used in Central Bohol, can be distinguished from other Cebuano dialects by a few phonetic changes. Like for example the "y" sound in Cebuano becomes "j" ("iya" in Cebuano becomes "ija"), the "k" sound sometimes becomes "h" ("ako" in Cebuano becomes "aho") the "l" sound sometimes if it is used in the second or following syllable becomes "w" ("kulang" in Cebuano becomes "kuwang").

Here are some examples:

Cebuano: Iyaha man na. = Boholano: Ijaha man na. In Tagalog means "Kanya yan", and in English goes "That's his or her".

Cebuano: Akoa man ni. = Boholano: Ahoa man ni. In Tagalog means "Akin to", and in English goes "This is mine".

We call ourselves as BOL-ANON, well for obvious reason people who lives in Bohol. Boholanos refer to our island homeland as the 'Republic of Bohol' with both conviction and pride. A narrow strait separates the island of Cebu and Bohol and both share a common language, but the Boholanos retain a conscious distinction from the Cebuanos.

Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Philippine Tarsier

I am from Bohol, but I didn't manage to see it myself until I was 27, it was during the time when I came home with my husband (he was still my boyfriend then). We went on together and decided to tour around Bohol. Indeed, Tarsier is a very small, long-tailed monkey (this is what we call it). Well, it was great to have seen myself at last! At least I know what I am talking about when we talk about this famous smallest money in the world that is found in my homeland.

The
Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), known locally as the Mawmag in Cebuano/Visayan, in an endangered tarsier species endemic to the Phillippines. Its name is derived from its elongated "tarsus" or ankle bone.

The Philippine Tarsier is a tiny animal, measuring about 4 to 6 inches (15 cm) in height. The small size makes it difficult to spot. The average mass for males is around 134 grams, and for females, around 117 grams. The average adult is about the size of a human fist and will fit very comfortably in the human hand. It has thick and silky fur which is colored gray to dark brown. The thin tail, usually used for balance, is naked or bald except for a tuft of hair at the end, and is about twice the body length. Its elongated "tarsus," or ankle bone, which gives the tarsier its name, allows it to jump at least three meters from tree to tree without having to touch the ground.It's habitat is the second growth, secondary forest, and primary forest from sea level to 700 m. Its habitat also include tropical rainforest with dense vegetation and trees that offer it protection like tall grasses, bushes and bamboo shoots.

Whoever wishes to go to Bohol, just don't forget to see these famous Tarsier yourself.
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net

Sunday, June 22, 2008

HINGOTANAN Island BOHOL, my home sweet home

"MY HOME SWEET HOME"











I was born in Nocnocan Island, 30 minutes travel from Hingotanan - the place where my both parents came from too, and where the rest of my relatives stay. The very reason why we had to live HINGOTANAN was because my father as a Minister/Pastor was assigned here. I was the only child back then, I think I was only 8 years old when we got to move here. Now, we are 7 siblings in total. Geezzz, imagine how meaningful Hingotanan Island is for us - that's why I am calling this as my HOME.

Hingotanan Island is situated in the province of
Bohol. It is one of the tiny islands surrounding the province which is not even found on the map of Bohol. From a distance one can identify the island by its coconut trees and white beach. Around it are also about 15 fishing islands which are also part of the town of Talibon.

Historically, Hingotanan Island was an island connected to the town of Talibon in the province of Bohol, the town which produced the late President Garcia. But latter when a new town of Bien Unido was created, Hingotanan Island was assigned to Bien Unido town. Although it has got its new identity as one of the islands of Bien Unido, Hingotanan keeps its contact with the main town of Talibon where big ships dock and where hospital and schools for higher education are found. The local folk commute to Talibon to sell their products and secure goods for daily life.

THIS IS MY HOME!!!. Undoubtedly like paradise when I was small. People here depend on the sea to live. Most of them bear the scar of a life too early acquainted with poverty and deprivation. But poverty and deprivation never break their spirit. Instead, generally, they are a happy and resilient people. They have always bounced back from every tragedy coming their way. Perhaps because to them all the pains, all the sufferings, all the hardships are soluble in alcohol. They are real survivors too. They can and will survive in any godforsaken place in the world. Living and dying are a lot easier and simpler to them.

Hingotanan is the only fishing island in the town of Bien Unido which has a complete High School. In fact, this island where I finished my elementary & high school. Parents from the surrounding smaller islands send their children to the island of Hingotana for the Secondary Education. Islands noted to have sent their children to the Hingotanan Barangay High School are Bilangbilangan Dako, Bilangbilangan Gamay, Gaus, Maomaowan, Butan,Sagasa, Malingin,Dawahon and others which I can hardly remember by name.

It is difficult to understand that there is lack of food in Hingotanan Island when the island itself is noted to be rich in natural resources. The shift from being a fishing community to a seaweeds farming community has created an effect of food shortage. The greater majority is involved in seaweeds farming and the small fishermen who catch fish by crude means cannot meet the demand of the people. It is also because instead of selling their fish products to the local people, they would rather hide and bring and sell these products to Cebu or in the town of Talibon for higher prices, giving them chance to come out of the Hingotanan island and personally secure other goods or materials for their family.
It is funny that instead of eating fresh fish, many Hingotanan islanders have to depend on canned mackerel fish, or noodles as the mean dish together with rice. As people exert more efforts in planting, harvesting and drying seaweeds, their intake of qualitative food is decreased. The health of the people is at risk. But there are also small initiatives of individuals who make possible for people to buy food. There are appearing small eateries, where people can buy ready made food. There are few individuals buying and selling meat to the islanders, and a few trying to slaugther a pig and selling meat by a kilo. The hope to create a local market in the island has been a long time dream that has not been realized until now. When the weather is bad, it becomes much more difficult to secure food.


Like I said to you on my first blog, I've been working here in Angola since 2001 and whenever I go on leave to Philippines, I always visit this place...I love this place really & since I got married to an English man, which we go home to England more often, my husband & I always been talking about of visiting HINGOTANAN island again, and this will be very soon! YES this year.

SEE YOU SOON MY PARADISE..
Yahoo bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net Msn bot last visit powered by MyPagerank.Net
[Valid RSS] Click now for eBay!