Thursday, September 11, 2008

I love Palawan!

El Nido 2006, 2008

I went to El Nido, Palawan for the first time on 2006 with my family, then again on 2008 with my husband.



At Lagen El Nido Resorts, El Nido Palawan

Palawan's almost 2,000 kilometers of irregular coastline are dotted with 1,780 islands and islets, rocky coves, and sugar-white sandy beaches. It also harbors a vast stretch of virgin forests that carpet its chain of mountain ranges.


We swam into a hole to get into this Secret Beach, Dad kayaking at the Small Lagoon

I recommend El Nido Palawan for honeymooners who want to enjoy each other's company in a serene beach setting! 5 stars from National Carine-o-grahic!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I love Boracay!

Boracay - I don't know where to start! Too many trips, too many drinks, too many friends, too many memories ... and I love it!

So far, I have never found a beach that beats the powdery white sands of Boracay.


(At White beach, at Puka beach)

Boracay is a tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.


(with my highschool friends-Marga, Trina, Arlene, with my work friends- Rach, Mash, Vane, Pat)

Boracay Island slowly ceased to be a private travelers hangout and eventually became a favorite tourist destination in the Philippines.


(Zipping during sunrise, eating at Manana with Kina, Arlene, Diego, Dric, Crissie)

White Beach is the main tourism beach. It is a bit over four kilometers long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. I love the beach parties here especially during holidays!


(sunset party at Waling Waling, beach parties)

I go to Boracay almost every year... and I cant wait to go back again with my hubby!


Golden Triangle India

March 2006

India's Golden Triangle is a tourist circuit which includes:
Jaipur, Agra (including the Taj Mahal), and Delhi.



JAIPUR

We took a road trip across the desert to go to Jaipur. Our first stop was the Jaipur Amber Fort where the Maharaja once lived, with his 12 wives and no electricity! He would hold his meetings under the moonlight.


(Jaipur Amber Fort, more beautiful at night - now has lights/electricity!)

We also went to the City Palace where the current Maharajah lives and the biggest silver jar in the world. The following day, en route to Agra, we stopped by a Monkey Temple... with lots of monkeys everywhere!

(Biggest silver jar behind Pat and myself, Monkey Temple in between mountains)

Closer to Agra, we stopped by the Fatehpur Sikri which showcases both Hindu and Muslim architecture.


AGRA

Agra is known for the famous monument of love. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Itis considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles.



DELHI

We zoomed by Delhi straight to the airport to catch our flights. So no sightseeing and no pictures!

Click here for more pictures at my online album.

From wikipedia
Delhi has grown to be a cosmopolitan city. Its rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city. Today, Delhi is a major cultural, political, and commercial center of India.

Goa, India

March 2006

Patricia, Suzanne, and I went to GOA, India to experience its famous beaches and Portuguese influenced city.

In 1498,
Vasco da Gama became the first European to set foot in India through a sea route, landing in Kerala, followed by an arrival in what is now known as Goa. Goa was the largest trading centre on India's western coast. The Portuguese arrived with the intention of setting up a colony and seizing control of the spice trade from other European powers. Later, in 1510, Portuguese admiral Afonso de Albuquerque defeated the ruling Bijapur kings with the help of a local ally, Timayya, leading to the establishment of a permanent settlement in Goa.



Goa is popular among European tourists for its beach parties and huge raves. We went to the beaches during the day so I was not able to see any party :( I rate the Goa beaches a 7/10. Nothing beats
Boracay, Philippines!



Since this is a very famous destination for Europeans, a lot of them end up staying in GOA for good! They make a living out of trading and selling stuff at the markets. We were very surprised to see that all the market vendors were white!



If they travel all the way to Boracay .. I wonder if they will do the same thing? Hmmm... I dont think so. We lack the huge beach parties!

Scotch in Sheepland

Edinburgh, Scotland

My cousins and I went to the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, for the weekend. Which, by the way, should be renamed to SHEEPland.. because there are more sheep than people there! We took a bus tour and witnessed sheep after sheep after sheep.

Population of Scotland: 5 Million
SHEEP population of Scotland: 12.5 Million



Our bus tour included
The Stirling Castle with views of the William Wallace Monument (made famous by the movie Braveheart), cruise ride on a loch or lake and Glasgow city with its wonderful architecture.


(William Wallace monument seen at a distance, Glasgow city)

However, the best part of our trip was the
SCOTCH tour and eating at the same restaurant on the same table where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

United Kingdom

London and Around London, UK 2005

I met up with lots and lots of people in london...


(Cousins Cherry Pie and Rex, and their kids - Joshua, Chesca, and Jolo)


(Tanya, friend from woodrose and Chad, friend from dlsu)


(Ant from Citi and his friends, I met up with my ex Tom)


(Annalee my brother's friend, Jocson and Nicky)

I went to LOTS and LOTS of sights but the highlight of this trip was good company! So thanks to everyone coz I had a really good time.

If you want to see more pictures of my sightseeing, click here but I am posting some of my favorite ones.


(Big B)


(Tower of London)


(The London Eye)

China Part 3 : Xian with mom and Ria Chua

Xian, China



The city has many important historical sites, and some are ongoing archaeological projects, such as the
Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang and his Terracotta Army.

The
Terracotta Army are the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang the First Emperor of China. The terracotta figures, dating from 210 BC, were discovered in 1974 by several local farmers near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China near the Mausouleum of the First Qin Emperor.



The figures vary in height (183–195cm - 6ft–6ft 5in), according to their role, the tallest being the Generals. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits.

Discoveries like this make me regret not taking up archaeology...

More pictures at http://carinedelros.multiply.com/photos/album/4/Xian