My unicorn themed baby shower! Thank you all for coming and for the gifts! May God bless us all!!! ❤️🦄🤰🏻🎊🎁🎉 (at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

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@iamcrystalmaiden
My unicorn themed baby shower! Thank you all for coming and for the gifts! May God bless us all!!! ❤️🦄🤰🏻🎊🎁🎉 (at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
My unicorn themed baby shower! Thank you all for coming and for the gifts! May God bless us all!!! ❤️🦄🤰🏻🎊🎁🎉 (at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Expat Explore
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
Crystal Maiden
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
The white sands of Boracay (Part 1)
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.
Alexandria aka the Roman City of Egypt
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".
Hot Air Balloon Ride
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!!!
The Temples of ancient Egypt
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.
The Temples of ancient Egypt
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.
Our #forever is composed of nows... ❤️❤️❤️ I love you. 😘😘😘 #celebrationoflove #love . . . #emilydickinson #quote #twofie #us #2017 #thisisit #first #vscocam #vsco #instalife #igdaily #latepost #latergram #wheninriyadh #ofwfeels (at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Random thoughts at midnight
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.
My first Nile River cruise experience
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.
February 2017
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.
Sleeping on a train...
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.
Trying to catch up...
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.
This is Egypt 2016
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!
The highlights of my 2016
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.