r y l a A registered nurse. A sitomaniac and an osmophobic. Silly and twisted. I love florals and lace. Attached and detached. Keep Calm and Spread LOVE! I am someone you will never know. I like pretty stuff, the sky, the stars, and the earth. My greatest dream is to see the world.
Who would have thought that I’ll be able to visit and see Europe at such a young age? (Yes, I am still young) I also couldn't believe it but here I am (was, technically because this is a late post). I’m so grateful and blessed to have this once in a lifetime opportunity.
I really didn’t plan on coming with them because they’ve already asked me a couple of months ago and I know that I couldn’t at the moment because I’m not financially prepared. But one day, all of a sudden my roommate just asked me (more like forced me) to come along. And, at that moment I wasn’t able to say no. Everything became a blur and I just agreed.
We booked everything with Expat Explore through the recommendation and help of our friends who already booked with them the same package that we will be getting. We chose the European Vistas tour which lasts for 8 days. It was from July 1, 2017, until July 8, 2017 (sorry it took me forever to post). I can’t remember the exact amount that we paid for but it’s roughly about US$800. We got it on sale due to an early booking. They do offer discounts for those who will make reservations long before the departure dates. Our tour is consists of 7 countries where we will be traveling by bus. The countries are:
The Netherlands
Germany
Austria
Italy
Switzerland
France
Belgium
Here’s a link for you to check for more information regarding the European Vistas package and itinerary.
Please do check them out for your future travel needs.
We had a really great time during our stay in Europe, all thanks to the team of Expat Explore who made everything so easy starting from the reservation up to the end of our trip.
“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” - Rumi
One of the happiest day of my life! Never thought that I’d be this grateful for this wonderful and amazing gift from God. Not so long ago, I thought happiness only comes from material things, or through travels and great experiences but this one definitely made me realize that there’s more to life than anything that money can buy... #happymothersday #momtobe
Hey there, I’m here again trying to continue on sharing memories. The year is about to end, and I’m trying to squeeze in as much as I can to post all the backlogs that I have in my drafts folder. So here’s another very late blog post from my last vacation from the Philippines.
I’ve been traveling quite often than what I’m supposed to be (thank God) but I haven’t got to see the best travel spots in the Philippines yet. So, now that I got a 3-week vacation I made sure to visit one of the best beaches in the world, which is Boracay.
I love planning our trips and itineraries or just being spontaneous to avoid spending extra for travel agencies so I went ahead and made a DIY family trip to Boracay.
This one was very special because I got to be with my family. We’re not complete (as usual because of my brother’s hectic schedule) but still, I’m so happy that I was able to spend time with my loved ones and that I was able to bring them to Boracay and have a great vacation.
I bought our tickets from Air Asia and I was so happy that I did. They were so accommodating. I was so stupid that I keyed in my boyfriend's last name the same as mine. I just saw it a few days before our flight. Supposed to be you will be charged for any changes with the name or flight details but they were so helpful. I didn't pay for anything at all and for that, I am forever grateful. I love Air Asia and I will always fly with you. :D #naks
Touchdown Kalibo Airport with my loves.
Waiting for my sister and her husband. I wasn’t able to get them the same flight as ours. :( Too bad.
With the fambam! Insert Ryan, my lil’ brother.
My cutie patootie niece. :D
Had late dinner at a diner (I forgot the name tho) then strolled along the shore.
Breakfast at Jammers Restaurant.
#ootd
My sister and her fambam. :D
The complete shot. :D
Ladies represent. :D We went island hopping as we do not what else to do. We saw a lot of activities but there’s a lot of reasons why we can’t do it; for one is that they were afraid, next is, my mom is already a senior citizen, third is that we need someone to look after our little baby girl so we can’t go on any activity entirely together and lastly, is that my sister is pregnant. Therefore, we only opted for easiest which is island hopping and snorkeling.
#calendargirl Haha pagbigyan :D Feeling sexy :D
Wetlook #ftw LOL :D
With my loves.
Matching flip flops for all the ladies.
Stunning view from our boat ride.
I love the clear blue waters. We were so lucky that it was a day with good weather.
<3
The whole gang.
Coral reefs :D
We really don't know how to swim. Sorry.
With my lovely sisters. :D I’m so happy we got to do this because it’s actually our first time to go on a vacation.
Off to have lunch.
We strolled around the shore looking for a nice restaurant, but then we were so hungry we just stopped by this one and fortunately, it was good.
After lunch, we went and just played along the shore. Swimming and taking lots of pictures.
With my mommy unni :D
Just for the insta :D
Had free dinner at Astoria Boracay. We got free stubs from their agent and we really didn’t know why but then again who are we to resist a FREE DINNER. Haha! Anyway, the food was fine and we were able to save but the catch was, they will invite for a seminar. It lasted for more than an hour and we wasted our time.
The good thing tho was that I told my family that only me and my boyfriend (then) that we’ll be the ones to stay so that they can still enjoy.
There are still more pictures from our Boracay trip so I’ll be posting this one first and if I have time (hopefully) I’ll upload the second part.
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” - Jawaharial Nehru
Last year, I was fortunate enough to visit the wonderful country of Egypt. Before I traveled I asked some of my Egyptian colleagues about the places that I must not miss when I go to Egypt. And, most of them suggested seeing the beautiful Roman City of Egypt which is, Alexandria.
Alexandria is the second largest city in the country next to Cairo. It has been a huge part of Egypt’s history as it was the capital of the Greco-Roman Egypt. It is a city so rich in history as it has witnessed so many historic events and legends.
And since I love seeing great sights plus the fact that I also love ancient architectural designs I included it on our list. Therefore, before we head back to Saudi, our last stop was at Alexandria.
(I wasn’t able to make a separate post for our travels in Aswan and Luxor because it was mainly about the temples so I placed them in one post altogether.)
We got to Alexandria around 1 o'clock in the afternoon via sleeper train from Luxor that was around 7-8 hours travel time. Then met up with our tour guide whom Ahmed hooked us up. Checked in to our hotel and then ate super late lunch at KFC. :D HAHA (Just goes to show how we are definitely not that adventurous)
After getting out stomachs filled and our hunger satisfied, we strolled around the city. Alexandria is just so beautiful. I love it.
Window shopping... Looking for souvenirs...
With my mom...
Found this monument around the city center and just had to get a shot. Touristy mode "on".
Honestly, I didn't know what we're thinking. :D HAHA
Mom was so happy to see these old yellow taxis all over the city.
The beautiful sunset over the Mediterranean sea. It's stunning.
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The magnificent city of Alexandria...
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We didn’t have much to do or see around because it’s already late, we just continued walking around and saw this restaurant filled with so many people queuing. We thought it might be good so we gave it a try. And, yes their shawarmas were to die for. It’s so delicious. :D Definitely worth it.
My post breakfast look at our classic and cozy hotel…
This window right here is from our hotel room featuring the flag of Egypt. I just love the ancient architectural vibe it has. It’s so old-school European.
Before heading out to our destination, I just got to have that one last stroll and feel the morning breeze from the Mediterranean sea. Ahh, it feels good.
First stop, the Roman Catacombs or the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. It is a historical archaeological site located in Alexandria, Egypt and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.
With our lovely tour guide, Nancy.
Second on our list was the Roman Ampitheater. It’s not that grand as the real roman ampitheaters but still, it’s beautiful. The seats were made of marble stones and when you stand in the middle you can really feel the echo when you talk. It’s not that visible in this photo but there’s a round plate just behind me where you’re supposed to stand when you talk so that it’ll be heard all over.
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It’s a great sunny day when we roamed around the historical sites in Alexandria.
Voila…
Next, off we went to see the Citadel of Qaitbay or the Fort of Qaitbay. The Qaitbay of Citadel in Alexandria was considered one of the most important defensive strongholds, not only in Egypt but also along the Mediterranean Sea coast. It formulated an important part of the fortification system of Alexandria in the 15th century AD. At present, it is now a Maritime Museum.
It looks like a castle. And this part serves as a dungeon.
The mosque…
I feel like I’m a princess strolling around the castle… :D
Again, with my mom and Nancy.
Moi… :D
A model of the Citadel of Qaitbay. It looks magnificent.
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The beautiful Mediterranean sea.
These hallways made of limestones were so beautiful.
EGYPT! :D
Bye guys, off to the sea I go… :D LOL
The coastline.
Me and my endless poses…
The fortress in all its glory.
It’s a whole day of city tour but still, we never get tired of all the beauty Alexandria has to offer. Our last stop was the Library of Alexandria or the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It is a major library and cultural center located on the shore of the Mediterranean sea in the Egyptian city of Alexandria. It is both a commemoration of the Library of Alexandria that was lost in antiquity and an attempt to rekindle something of the brilliance that this earlier center of study and knowledge represented.
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The wonderful architecture of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Wow, just wow.
A statue in honor of Alexander the great.
It is a huge and modern library.
:D
Kalas, it is now time to leave Egypt.
Maasalama, Misr. :D
“Roam abroad in the world, and take thy fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when thou must quit it for good.” – Saadi
Let me repeat, HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE!!! Capslock para intense. :D
On our last day in Luxor, Ahmed got us a great deal with Hod Hod Soliman Balloons who were so amazing. I highly recommend these guys. For more information about how and the FAQ’s please check them out by clicking on their names.
They picked us up early in the morning around 4 am and brought us to a boat that will bring us to the other side of the Nile river. There were complimentary coffee and tea served while we received the instructions on how the ride will be. Once we arrived at the West Bank, off we go. Up, up, and away.
Waiting for them to be pumped up! I am so excited!!!
It looks amazing and it feels so surreal!
Can you spot the hidden "happy kid"? :D
Almost there...
A selfie with one of the guys who was assisting us.
While waiting for ours to fly, I watched some of the other balloons as they float over the beautiful Nile River.
Yahoo! Finally! We hopped on inside and then we’ll fly!!! :D
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With mom and a view of the beautiful sunrise.
I can’t explain how happy I was, but let this picture show you how.
It looks divine!
Our view from the top.
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Happy Birthday, MOM!!! :D
More temples…
A photo of our ride taken from the ground.
A selfie with the pilot :D
Slowly going down…
Goodbye… :D LOL
Then afterward, they gave us this certificate as proof (more like a souvenir) for our hot air balloon experience.
It was a quick 30-minute ride but it was definitely worth it. I was so happy I got to tick riding a hot air balloon off my bucket list. The view was stunning plus seeing the sunrise was magnificent and especially the adrenaline and that wonderful feeling you get when you’re so hyped up and excited, wow! It’s just amazing. In total, it was a great experience.
Your wings already exist, all you have to do is FLY – Anonymous.
I recently shared the first part of this post about the temples that we've seen in Aswan and now I'm going to upload part 2 of the great temples we've visited in Luxor. It’s all wonderfully created by the Egyptians and preserved by the government. There were charges for all the temples to finance the care and restoration. The entrance fees for each temple were not included in the package that we chose from Luxor for you so it’s very important to keep cash handy at all times because most of the counters don't accept cards for payment.
First stop that day was at the Valley of the Kings. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Thebes (modernly known as Luxor). The wadi consists of two valleys, East Valley (where the majority of the royal tombs are situated) and the West Valley.
Then off we go to see the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, it is an ancient funerary shrine in Upper Egypt. Built for the Eighteenth dynasty Pharaoh Hatshepsut, it is located beneath the cliffs at Deir el Bahari, on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings.
It was scorching hot so please bear with us. :D
And another jump shot. I feel like I’m flying. :D
The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during the Dynasty XVIII. It is located west of the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor.
With my mom! :D
After lunch, we headed to the beautiful Karnak Temple. The Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak, comprises a vast mix of decomposed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings.
The complex is a vast open-air museum, and the second largest ancient religious site in the world, after the Angkor Wat Temple of Cambodia. It is believed to be the second most visited historical site in Egypt; next to the Pyramids of Giza.
With some college students who asked for a picture. Whenever I travel or actually even here in Saudi, most people think that I may be Korean, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese or Thai. Even some Filipinos think that I am not a Filipino. For instance, they would talk to me in English or would not talk to me at all because of that. It's weird though.
Okay, Peace, and Victory!!!
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Then again...
The Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River in the city. In the Egyptian language it is known as ipet resyt, "the southern sanctuary". Unlike the other temples in Egypt, Luxor temple is not dedicated to a God or a King. Instead, it is dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship; it may have been where many of the kings of Egypt were crowned in reality.
Too bad, we weren’t able to see it because we don’t have enough time and cause my Mom and Ate Saida were both too tired already. But still, it looks magnificent even from the outside.
I've always wanted to visit this beautiful country due to its historical background and the wonderful pyramids. Now that I was able to finally be here, I wouldn't want to miss the chance of seeing the great temples as well. I made sure that when I made the itinerary to include a visit to some of the famous temples.
These temples are made for the Gods of Egypt during the ancient time and also for the Kings and Queens who ruled Egypt a long time ago. It was majestic and sacred. It was considered the house of the Gods that it was made for. It was built to honor and give thanks. It's a treasure made by thousands of workers day and night.
I was lucky to see all its astonishing beauty when I went to Egypt last year (Yup, it was last year and still I haven't finished posting) when I booked for an awesome tour package from Luxor for you. It was a 3 day and 2 nights Nile Cruise tour from Aswan to Luxor. Luxor for you, offers the best deal compared to all the other travel agencies out there.
There are hundreds or maybe thousands of temples in the whole of Egypt but we don’t have the luxury of time to go to all of them. Luxor for you brought us to the most important temples in Aswan and Luxor along the river Nile. Let’s start off with Aswan.
Our first stop is to the Philae Temple or the Temple of the Goddess Isis. The Temple of Isis is one of the greatest Temples in Egypt and it occupies about a quarter of the Philae island. It is the main Temple on the island, with its huge, complete, pylons and beautiful scenes.
To go to Philae Island we need to ride a small boat for about less than 10 minutes.
With Mom and Ate Saida. The “Turistas” in Egypt.
The Magnificent Temple of Isis. The whole structure is so beautiful. It’s known not only for its beauty but because these temples were built to last. It was undeniably strong and made with the finest and high-quality materials.
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With Mahmoud, our tour guide for the day.
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Look at this gorgeous piece of art. Its history is written all over the place.
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A jump-shot! I am still looking for that perfect shot or pose that I can use whenever I travel.
And yet another failed attempt to get that perfect shot.
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On the next day of our tour, we went to Kom Ombo Temple. The temple is unique because it is, in fact, a double temple, dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon-headed god. The layout combines two temples in one with each side having its own gateways and chapels.
The history is so alive in all these wonderful work of art.
I love how they are able to preserve all these structures.
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This picture shows how they deliver a newborn during the ancient times.
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I’m not good in taking photos and editing but still, I’m trying. :D
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So now, going on and moving forward to our 3rd temple the Temple of Edfu. The temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth, and religion during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt.
Look at that amazing architecture. It’s magnificent.
Inside the sanctuary at the center of the temple.
And me, doing all sorts of poses. :D
I am weird and awkward and the people around can’t stop but stare and think “what the hell is she doing?” :D
This is a long collection of photos about the different temples that we’ve been to in Aswan, Egypt. And there’s still more that I need to post, but I’ll have it in a separate blog. And, for your information, the description of the temple were all from google. :D
Have you ever wanted to do something so bad then suddenly feel like you don’t want it anymore?
That’s what I’m feeling or maybe, I really want it but not right now. I’m confused. Can I click the pause button and stay where I am. I’m not really sure what I feel right now. I’m having mixed emotions. I just want to cry. I am crying. It’s been a long time since I cried myself to sleep.
It’s like the world is still a huge place for me to fill and that this would stop me from doing anything. I just came back from a trip to Europe and I saw that there’s more to life than what I have right now. I’m scared to be tied down and not do freely what my heart truly desires.
Am I just pressured to get into this because that’s what most people are doing? Getting married, getting pregnant, and building a family. I know I’m not getting any younger and that my body has a time bomb for pregnancy and to be honest I do want to have children of my own. But do I really have to do it now?
What if it’s not the right time? To be honest, even before the tour I already felt anxious with what I will do. I’m nervous and frightened. I don’t really know. But, I can’t just say stop because I’m having cold feet. It’s unfair and selfish. My heart is super confused, I think It’ll explode.
Love and marriage are two different things. I’m not an expert on these matters all I know is that I love him very much but I am really scared with what we’re getting in to. This is for a lifetime, we’re talking about years and decades of our lives and the world is a huge place. It’s a difficult decision to make.
P.S. If you will read this please don’t think that I don’t love you because I really do so much. I’m just terrified and caught up with all that’s happening and what will happen in the future with me and you and the people around us.
I needed to let it out or else my heart will burst.
Egypt is a very beautiful country and is well known for its rich history and ancient landmarks. It is also famous because of the Nile River. It is the longest river in the world. It covers eleven countries in the African continent and serves as the main source of water of Egypt and Sudan (Which is according to wiki). And since we are visiting Egypt, I thought that it should be part of our itinerary. Especially because we will be going to Aswan and Luxor which is just along the Nile River.
As I mentioned from my previous post, I researched on how we could make the most of our Egyptian tour. I stumbled upon some itineraries of different travel agencies and, I saw the things that are in common and reviewed it further. Nile cruise actually tops the list so I went ahead and searched online for more information.
I was actually having a hard time to get a hold of any contact from the cruise. Then one day, I saw from TripAdvisor about this travel agency that has an amazing offer for the Nile cruise. Luxor for you offers the best and the most suitable itinerary for our schedule and budget. It was absolute perfection. It’s like a customized deal he had arranged for us. And, to top that all off, Ahmed was a really great tour guide. He showed us around (well, of course, that’s why he’s there right), very knowledgeable about history and stuff, a nice guy, and he hooked us up with a lot of other things in the area for no additional cost on his end. I mean, it’s part of his job to be nice, but I think he was extra nice cause he seldom sees Filipinos in Egypt and I just want to thank him for bringing us to Quick Pizza in Luxor. I will forever remember the tahina they served for the rest of my life. It's the best. I kept looking for something like it here in Saudi Arabia, but nothing comes close and nothing can beat it. I loved it. So hooray for everything good that has happened. :D For anyone who would want to see and travel Egypt or have a Nile cruise, please do contact Ahmed through www.luxorforyou.com. He has plenty of amazing packages that he can give you.
On board the M/S Concerto ship. It’s my very first cruise experience and it’s one hell of a ride.
My mom, chillin’ in the lounge.
This is it! I am so thrilled.
5-star cruisin’ baby. Here I come. :D
Of course an obligatory mirror selfie in the bathroom. It’s really pretty, with the bath tub and all the titanic vibes it has.
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Turista shot.
And, of course, the cruise offers buffet meals all day long. Wow!!! And it’s superbly delicious. It has a variety of Asian, Mediterranean, Arabic and everything in between from breakfast to dinner.
Salad anyone?
Fruits? :D
Isn’t she a beauty?
It’s still so surreal.
The happy kid. :D
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Looking for my Jack? :D
No one is actually allowed in this part of the ship but still, we managed to sneak in and take some photos. #YOLOing.
And, not only did we manage to go to the bow of the ship, we also made it inside the bridge and meet the Captain and some of his crew. They’re just so chill down there. Wow! Right?
Pretending like we’re sunbathing but really we’re not, cause it was 3 o’çlock in the afternoon. Who does that? #ParaSaBlog LOL!
Ate Saida with the super nice chefs.
And, last but never the least. It was my mom’s birthday so I wanted to make it special and memorable. I never thought we will be on board that day. So, I went ahead and talked to the guys at the ship and asked them what I could do. They helped me out and prepared a cake for my mom for free and they sang and danced for her. It was really amazing.
It was a fun and exciting experience. I had a wonderful time. I’m so happy I got to tick this off my bucket list.
‘’We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.’’
As I promised, I’d be posting as much as I can to make sure that I keep all the good memories intact. :D This month, was a very special and an unforgettable one. I had my 2nd vacation in the Philippines and I am so happy. No words can express how great it was. Therefore let all these pictures bombard you with joy, the same way that I felt during those times.
My #Colourpop lipsticks! Finally!!!
I love lipsticks so much and I wanted the “colourpop” lipsticks so badly but I didn’t know where to buy it here in Saudi Arabia. They do ship worldwide but I opted to ship it to the Philippines through my-shoppingbox.com account.
I registered my account last April 2016 but I haven’t used it since this purchase. I already paid twice for the subscription fee so I thought that it’s time to finally use it. It’s a website that ships your US goods straight from a US address to the Philippines. Isn’t that great? It gives you a special US address where you can send your purchases online for stores that cannot ship outside of the US or for others who have free shipping for USA residents only.
Do check them out if you love buying things online like me! :D I always, always shop online even though I do regret some of the goods I got that are way too different from what they should be. But still, SHOPPING is FUN! :D
My LOVES!!! I missed him so much.
Of course food. All my faves in one photo. Good thing Yellow Cab is already here in the Kingdom. I’m sooo happy!
And again, FOOD! Japanese food is forever heart!
Divisoria!!! Roaming around Chinatown. Kung Hei Fat Choi.
My sisiyahs, my best friends, and my forevers all rolled into 2 :D I love them soooo much!
Cause February is love month. Happy #Valentines Day! :D Our first in #cheflaudico #guevarras
#Boracay bound with mom and fel! Our #first domestic flight together.
#wheninboracay obligatory photos on the beach.
Goodbye Bora! We’ll be seeing you again soon. Boat ride going to the port.
#AirAsia where I book great ticket prices and yeah they’re always reliable when you’re in deep sh** customer service helped me a lot, thank you. I love you guys. I always fly with #airasia. #naks
My favorite view in the world, clear blue skies over the beautiful Boracay island.
Goofin' around with my Lil’ brother. :D
My sister’s birthday!
And last but never the least, My beautiful and super kulit niece who brings so much happiness in my life. I love you, my little princess.
The #sadness that is when you go back and realize that you left your heart at home. :(
February was a roller coaster ride of happiness and sadness but it’s still one amazing month.
“You are a beautiful soul and you deserve to be treated as one”.
In the Philippines, we don’t have these long train rides that travel to and from Manila to the provinces. And that is why whenever I see one in movies about a “sleeper’s train” I get giddy and I really wish I could ride one. When we got the visa going to Egypt, I immediately researched how we could go around the area; where to stay, where to go, what to do, the food, and the transportation etc.
I didn’t know a lot about Egypt before (well even up to now), my only purpose was to see the Pyramids, the museums, and the mummies. That's’ it. But I wanted to see more because the ticket we bought and the leave we applied for work was for 2 weeks and we might as well use it wisely. I asked some of my colleagues who were Egyptian to give suggestions on where to go and what to do. One anesthesiologist told me about Aswan, Luxor, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Alexandria. According to her, these are the places one must definitely visit when going to Egypt. I did my own research and found out that yes, they’re really worth the time. But, I just removed from our list Sharm El-Sheikh, because it’s mainly just beaches and stuff. I'm with my mom and her friend, and they’re not the type who’d want to go see beaches and swim. Haha. But just by browsing through the pictures online, it looks magnificent. It should really be on one’s list when going to Egypt.
I looked through the official website of Egypt’s national railways www.wataniasleepingtrains.com about the prices, schedule and how to buy a ticket. We could actually buy a ticket online but we were so scared. What if it’s a bogus or we cannot make it. We’ll be losing money for no good reasons. So we opted to buy it once we arrive. #Sigurista :D
We bought the ticket at the Cairo Main Station for a total of $270.00 for 3 persons from Cairo to Aswan. The ticket per each person comes with a meal, dinner, and breakfast for the following day. We got 2 separate cabins, we were 3 so 1 had to be in a single cabin which was $110.00 and $80.00 per person in a double cabin. You can actually share with someone else but it’s too risky. We also bought another one-way ticket from Luxor to Alexandria for a total of $320.00. A single cabin for $120.00 and a double cost $100.00 for each.
Our precious tickets :D
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It reminds me of the train in the “Harry Potter” films. #awesome :D
And, again another #harrypotterfeels. It’s an epic journey.
It looks freaky tho’. It looks like it’s been ages since they first used this train. Hahaha
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Please excuse my #awkward and #justwokeup face. Had a great sleep even though the railroad was bumpy.
We actually used 3-4 days just for the trip back and forth, but it’s worth it. I mean we could have gone via plane which is how other people would usually do, but it’s the adventure that totally made it great and awesome. It’s all our first time in Egypt and the journey is what makes traveling amazing (Well, aside from the views and the FOOD of course). So let’s make the most out of it.
The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams. - Oprah Winfrey.
I’ve been the lamest blogger since I started this whole thing. I can’t even post anything worthy and even if I do post anything at all, I just do it once in a blue moon. It takes me months to share things and memories for any specific reasons.
Therefore, this 2017 (keeping my fingers crossed) I’ll post at least once every 2 weeks and if not maybe once a month will do. Today, I’ll be catching up for the first quarter of 2017 for the months that I missed. And hopefully, I’ll be able to keep up with my promise.
This is it.
January 2017, what can I say? I’m still on the roller coaster ride that 2016 left me hangin’ and I don’t have anything big for this month. It was just all about preparing for my 3 weeks vacation to the Philippines. Yahoo! I was so excited at that time even though it was just a short one.
It was all about running errands here and there, getting my visa and tickets done weren’t easy. The people in HR were such an a****** (Nah! Just kidding!) But still, thankful coz I know they did their best.
New years dinner with mom at Paul. It was our first, and we liked it. A sumptuous and filling meal, a great way to start 2017. Thumbs up for more delicious foods.
I loved it so much, I know I need another fix of Paul’s delicious entrees. This time, BREKKY!
And of course going out will never be complete without taking a #selfie.
Unfortunately, I was not eligible for the visa yet so I bought my own visa and ticket. WAHH! I got broke, man! Although there were a lot of mishaps, God has been so good and I went through it all.
And again, another #selfie before saying goodbye to Riyadh for just a few weeks.
On my way home, waiting for my flight. :D
It was relatively a very short month, it ended so soon. But it was still great. That’s how my January went. How bout yours? I hope we all had a good start.
“Be happy, and a reason will come along.” - Robert Brault.
I've always wanted to visit Egypt since I was a child. Thanks to the pyramid souvenir that was on display in our house, courtesy of my mother's friend. I got so curious about it. And my curiosity grew more due to the movies like Cleopatra, The Prince of Egypt and The Mummy Returns. It's really one of my greatest dreams to see the pyramids up close. Who would have thought that my dreams of seeing all these beautiful and wonderful historical creations would ever come true.
My mother and I have already thought about going to Egypt when we went to Jordan, Israel, and Palestine but we didn't have enough time and money that moment. Then we agreed to go to Egypt this 2017 because at that point we still had to visit another country in mind. Unfortunately, our visas got denied. We were already in the DQ (Diplomatic Quarters - a place where all the embassies of different countries are located in the kingdom) and we don't want to waste all our efforts (All our papers for traveling are ready before we applied for the visa) plus, we've been wanting to visit Egypt anyway, hence we tried our luck. Without any knowledge about the visa requirements, the tickets, hotel prices, etc. we still went and to our surprise, we were given the visas. Hooray!
Here are the photos that were taken on Day 1 of our Egypt Trip 2016. First Stop, the capital city of Cairo.
Goodbye King Khalid International Airport. I’ll see you soon.
Marhaba, Cairo International Airport!
The Cairo Tower, the tallest building in all of Egypt.
Of course, traveling won’t be complete without those touristy shots.
Ate Saida (Mom’s friend), my Mother and me.
Went to the top and had the most incredible view of the whole city and the historical Nile River.
Roamed around the city by car. The traffic here is insane. I thought Manila’s traffic situation was worst but this was way too bad. I’m not comparing tho’ it’s just my opinion.
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The Cairo Train Station. It’s such a busy city and the people here, wow it’s massive. They’re so many.
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The Al-Hussein Mosque.
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At Khan El-Khalili’s Bazaar.
#ootd and #feeling #blogger :D
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Alright, moving forward here are the pictures of our 2nd day in Egypt, still featuring Cairo City.
With my super beautiful mom.
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We bought our tickets for the “sleeping train”. It’s so expensive! The price is different if you’re not Egyptian (It's so unfair). For a one way trip for 3 people from Cairo to Aswan (Which is our next stop), it’s $270.00. FYI for this trip, we planned it all by ourselves, hooray to backpacking. :D LOL, not really. But 2 thumbs up for spontaneity.
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Wow, my dream just came true right there. The Pyramids of Giza. The ancient, and magnificent world wonder. I still can’t believe it up to this moment. It is real, man.
A panoramic view of a wonderful man-made creation. I know that to make these before (which was a long, long time ago) a lot of lives were sacrificed. But, seeing them now was just awesome.
For reference for those who wants to go in the future (if somebody ever comes across my blog, which has a zero to negative percent chance).
Please don’t mock me for all these obligatory tourist photos. Hahaha!
The Sphinx.
The Egyptian Museum.
MUMMIES!!! They’re real guys.
I just find it truly amazing how these guys were able to compile and put all these stuff together. I mean, the way they value history is magnificent.
At a local train station in Cairo. It’s underground by the way, and there are 2 more levels under this one. That’s how overpopulated Egypt is.
#haggardoversoza :D Currently, I’m addicted to watching all of Wil Dasovich’s videos. And, I’m LSS with the #beki words he’s using. Wait LSS, he’s not even singing. hahaha :D
The Hanging Church. Well, it’s actually Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church. It was called the hanging church because it was suspended above a fortress in the early times.
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See, it’s like 2 floors above ground.
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It’s beautiful.
And another picture showing how high it was suspended.
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Egypt is a country rich in history and they were able to keep it beautifully despite all those years. Aside from the intense traffic, pollution(noise from all the cars honking at each other, air and a lot of trash all over the city) and a lot of people everywhere, it is still an awesome experience. I can definitely say that everyone must #experienceegypt.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao Tzu
Yesterday(well I drafted this post a day after I posted and now it’s been a month? Hahaha), I posted the first part of this text post (which I had in my drafts folder for more than a month now Haha) about how my 2016 has been. And, it has been really, really wonderful. I feel so blessed! Now it’s time to share more of the awesome things that happened this past year.
Brace yourself...
The Israeli West Bank barrier or wall (I’m not aware of what was or what is going on between these two countries (Israel and Palestine) but I can definitely feel the tension. I am just hoping for peace to finally set in this place.
P.S. It is really high and thick. This picture was taken on the side of Palestine. The wall is full of graffiti made by Palestinians. The messages are just heartbreaking.
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine is a World Heritage Site.
Inside the Church of Nativity. I am overwhelmed and I feel so #blessed.
View from the top of Mount Olives.
The tomb of the Virgin Mother Mary.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. One of the oldest church in the world. It is where Jesus Christ was crucified and where his tomb lies.
The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is a holy place for the Jews because it was a part of the Temple Mount. It is believed that a prayer offered in the western wall will be granted for the reason that it’s as if he has prayed before the throne of glory because the gate of heaven is situated there and it is open to hearing one’s prayer.
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The Dome of the Rock is an old mosque on the Temple Mount in the old city of Jerusalem.
Inside the old city of Jerusalem. Just by walking along the streets already makes you feel blessed and overwhelmed with happiness to be able to walk the same paths Jesus Christ took.
The Hebrew language is so beautiful. I really want to learn it.
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Went to Tel-Aviv and strolled around the Yarkon park overlooking the pretty Yarkon river.
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View of Kikar Kedumim Street and the bell tower of St. Peter’s Church in the city of Old Jaffa.
The Garden Tomb is a place believed to be where Jesus Christ was resurrected.
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Let us all pray for peace not only in Jerusalem but in the whole world. Always.
Hello, Egypt! One of my firsts to ride an airport bus in the runway of Cairo International Airport.
The Cairo tower. The tallest tower in Egypt standing at 187 meters high.
View from the top of Cairo tower. Overlooking the historical Nile River.
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The Hanging Church, one of the oldest Coptic Churches in Cairo, Egypt.
At the local train station in Cairo.
The Hanging Church.
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In front of the Al-Hussein Mosque. It was the first mosque I was able to enter.
Khan El Khalili bazaar at night.
It felt so weird entering a holy place for a different religion. Although, I admire the passion and love they have for their God. It felt so sacred inside seeing and listening to these ladies pray.
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My first to ride a sleeping train.
Again, another first. Rode a Hot air balloon in Luxor.
Nile cruising baby. Channeled my inner rose at the M/S Concerto cruise ship.
Took a lot of courage to asks these men to show me around the ship's bridge.
And, a tour in Egypt will never be complete without seeing all these ancient temples.
Another one.
And again.
All ready to sail across the Nile River.
Of course, I need to see the mummies. But please, don’t you dare move. :D
Oh, another one. I had a gazillion jump shots taken on this trip. But nothing was good enough.
Caressing the pharaoh for good fortune? Nah! :D
And, an Egyptian tour will never be complete without seeing these magnificent pyramids of Giza.
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The Egyptian Museum.
Haha, keep them comin' baby.
Downtown Cairo.
Bucket list was done. Nah Just kidding. The list will never end.
Inside the sleeping train on our way to Alexandria.
It is so cool. Another first.
The Mediterranean Sea. The closest I’ll ever get? As of now.
The Citadel of Qaitbay.
Me and my fat face with our DON (Director of Nursing) Ms. Louise.
Group #3! Let’s go team.
My first Scientific Day. :D
That awesome-fun-exciting-overwhelming feeling you get when you finally receive your most awaited US visa. :D
2016 Christmas Party from Maternity OR-PACU.
Spent Christmas Eve with theses lovely ladies. Missing my family from the Philippines and mom who was on duty.
Wow! Who would have thought that 2016 will be a very wonderful, exciting, adventurous and fun-filled year. Again, I don’t know how 2017 can keep up with it. :D
Again, thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you continue to shower upon me and my family. I love you so much!!!
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. - Psalm 20:4
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