It was a cool ,breezing night for all OFW (overseas Filipino workers) in Jeddah, the mood was festive and extra ordinary. Extra ordinary because we live in Saudi Arabia where male and female are usually separated in all occasions.It’s a one night happening in a year, you wont be glad to miss!
my bff at the entrance
As usual, i am carrying a small point and shoot camera, so here’s some of my shots…cheers!
It was raining hard, flight was delayed, we only have five days to spare so be it, rain or shine we got to be there, either by air, land or sea and we did it!. My parents were so surprised to see us, as we got inside the house, one by one, screaming, even the dog was barking, the house was full of joy and laughter and teary eyes…it was a great day for all of us!
Though the weather was not that great, rain showers all the time, I took some few shots of one the beaches in the island of Catanduanes and the famous Mayon Volcano in the province of Legazpi City where my husband is currently residing.
Ready for 3 hours walk ? yesss! It’s even longer than that, every step I made is worth a million awe, It’s marvelous to see and touch one of the new wonders of the world (7/07/2007). I could have gone on for more 800 hundred steps to monastery but I need more time to make it.
narrow passage (siq)
TIP: you need to wear a walking shoes, a big bottle of water and a hat to walk one kilometer.
horse driven carriage
Another choice to go around the trail… is by horse or horse driven carriage but you can’t appreciate much the writings on the walls along the siq (gorge) or to really experience the walk along the narrow passage between mountains to reach Al-Khazneh( treasury).
Al khazneh (the Treasury)the end of the siq– a glimpse of the treasure
Walking will give you more time to take pictures, appreciate how the Nabataeans ( ancient villagers) works hard and used their clever minds to create water system, carved their niche, incredible architecture of natural beauty not to mention sophisticated machinery doesn’t exist 2000 years ago.
Along the siq, the remains of the tomb can be seen, I see the influenced of the trade to the east into the arab world; building are built with ancient Egyptian, Babylonians style that I can only see in movies or in history books.
Tired? well you can actually hire a donkey or for more adventurous… a camel, both come with a handler who speaks English very well.
TIP: If you don’t want a ride just say “No, thank you” don’t say “later” because they will follow you all around.
colorful striation of rocks
I am fascinated by the colors of the rocks, Petra has been known a” rose-red city” because of the colors of the rock in which it is being carved. By the way, from Amman, Jordan, I traveled alone in chauffeur driven limousine (courtesy of my boss) around 2 hours and 3 hrs walking (cars are not allowed inside) to the narrow gorge and walla to the city of red rocks!
If given another chance, I would definitely come back and explore more the area, climb the high cliff mountains and experience the sunset.I like to experience the candle procession (done twice a week) people walk in silence , just you and the nature…nothing more!
the Hadrien Gate
One can’t stop to wonder and gaze what a wonderful stories have been told about this place and its people and you bet! I am still in awe!
Don’t know how to float? Come to dead sea, its unusual buoyancy will make you float effortless…Yesss, it’s true, i was able to float in no time, standing or you can lie back and read newspaper, wonderful experience.
dead sea at Jordan Valley Marriott resort
To reach this unique spot, we traveled from Amman around 30-45 minutes by car, as we go nearer down, my ear pops too. Dead sea is the lowest body of water on earth, the lowest point on earth and world’s richest source of natural salts.
a closer look
It has also therapeutic effect on skin but beware if you have an open cut or sore, it really stings! I opted for arabic coffee scrub instead of dead sea salt rub and i came out of the spa, beautifully tan and smelling great too, an aroma of brewed coffee! hehehehe.
I was so lucky to capture the amazing sunset at dead sea, its reflection was like a big candle glowing at dead sea.
October 27, 2011, flying high aboard Royal Jordanian Airlines, My friend Nabil warned not to travel on my birthday but I have a little superstitious belief that If I die, I die in style! 🙂
So, I reached my destination Amman, Jordan…in one piece… kicking and alive! Yeheyyy!
We had sumptuous lunch at my second family house. As much as I would like to eat more arabic dish, I was thinking about the 5 kilos I lost… hmmm i told myself…,”stop eating” otherwise your dress wont fit! SPandexxxxx!
After meeting the family members and old friends, we headed to Marriott resort and spa at Dead Sea. Wonderful place, large swimming pools ( I think they were 4 of them), I was booked as one of the bride’s family member so for the meantime, i signed my name with their family name, (for discount purposes) yay!
beautiful sunset
After getting my things into the room , I hurried up to see the beautiful sunset, while walking along the shore, I met old friends, we sat down at the lobby of the hotel, few more minutes, familiar faces came in and I’m still dressed with shirt and jogging pants, I excused myself but they said it’s alright no need to change…so, dinner is served!
52nd b-day dinner
At the very end, waiters were getting closer to our table, I thought for a while, they were already closing but to my surprised, one is carrying a big cake with one big candle. Hurray! it’s my 52nd b-day. Cheers!
thanx for coming!
Thank you for an awesome night, a night to remember!
Having a goal… like to fit in a dress that you really like to wear helps a lot on your determination to lose weight. It’s not easy but it’s not difficult too!
I started just walking for an hour, once a week with my good friends, then cut my carbohydrates, CUT means not to remove the rice immediately rather, I ate rice about three times a week. I ate brown bread instead of white bread.
I ate fruits and vegetables more than red meat then after a week, i started treadmill (20 minutes), play x-box kinect for an hour, dumbbell for 10 minutes ( 3 kls each) Hence, I didn’t have time in the morning, i did it before bedtime.
After two weeks, i totally remove the rice in my diet. My breakfast consists of: cereal or brown bread with hallumi cheese , fruit and coffee. Lunch and dinner: vegetable salad and chicken only. No carbonated drinks , only water and tea. In between meals, I ate almond nuts and drink coffee or tea.
Once a week , every Thursday is a cheat day, my son and I enjoy going to restaurant and have full meal but… take note..we had most of the time GRILLED food and a lots of salad , and indulge in sweetness too (small portion) just to satisfy my palate of nice food.
So ladies, the trick???…no carbs, exercise regularly and cheat once a week and walla! 5 kilos in one month! i don’t intend to lose more than 5 kilos, so I would just keep it up with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
I’m attending a big Royal wedding on 28th of October, I call it “ROYAL” because the bride is my “big boss” first daughter. I knew her when she was seven years old. The wedding will be held at the Jordan Valley Marriott resort which is located at the eastern shore of the Dead Sea.
Attending wedding in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is a big deal for me, looking for a gown with matching shoes and bag,not to mention the jewelries that goes with the attire..oh my! then going to salon to make your hair and make up… whoahh! RSVP sorry ma’am can’t make it , wish you all the best!
However, I can’t say no this time, this is my sweet little girl who doesn’t let go of my hand the first time we met in 1987. So, off to go to Amman, Jordan.
Alright, I have to look dignified doctor (this is the comment of the bride’s father) ouch! what do you think of my fashion style, a way too young or you can’t relate hahahaha just kidding! anyhow, here are some dresses that I am thinking to wear. Help me out ladies!
Remember: as the sun goes down at sunset, it will take a part of your life with it
Why sunset? why not sunrise? It’s been a craze to have a sunset wedding, I wonder why? They said, it’s more romantic, as the sun goes down at sunset, you are with your new partner and as the sun rises up the following day, a new chapter of your life unfolds with your new husband/wife.
Life..it is a little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
If your marriage did not sustain, romance failed, you remember that you went down with the sun and a part of your life was taken.Oh, well..life goes on, sun will rise up again and again.
clouds come floating in to my life, no longer to carry rain or storm but to add color to my sunset sky
Orange is a bright provocative color of sunset. It gives you challenge to face the realm of life with a man/woman who will be yours forever.
What about its hue of provocation, the temptation, the lust and eventually the betrayal at the end…would “love” be enough to see the sun rises up again?
Remember: when the sun goes down at sunset, it will take a part of your life with it…so every time it comes you also watch how it glow and blow you away, every moment counts because life is too short to enjoy .
do things with passion or not at all…the beauty of sunset will always be there
After visiting the campus in Brig,we decided to spend our last day in Switzerland at Zermatt village at the foot of Matterhorn and enjoy the Rothorn paradise ride. huh! waaah… wooo! ahhh! hahaha that’s me! I’m scared of heights but I am turning fifty-two, and I shall face my fear so here we gooooo…3,000 m above sea level.
to Zermatt
the view along the way is so amazing,I feel serenity and peace, mountains, water falls, river, houses with colorful flowers, an urban city in a rural setting.
As we get in Zermatt, the town is completely different,you see only electric cars, no pollution, the air is dry and clean, surrounded by world-class hotel, restaurants and shops (watches, souvenirs, chocolate etc.)
houses along the way
Would i have known before, I would have book a hotel and stays overnight, but too late, we’re going back to Saudi Arabia.
From Brig to Zermatt it’s about 2 hrs. ride then we asked the tourism office what can we do for a day, either we climb to the alps or we stay in pre-alps. Ahhhh, i told kevs, we don’t have the proper clothes to bear the 365 snow mountain, so we choose Rothorn paradise, where we can see the beautiful side of Matterhorn.
to Rothorn paradise
We walk to the tunnel for few minutes then got into Sunnegga express (I would describe it as a chair backward ride up to the mountain) then to Gondolla cable lift. I think my son enjoyed the ride more than me, because i just kept shouting :-), at the end I refused to go up more with him in Rothorn paradise, I’m fine in here, go ahead and enjoy the paradise! I still would like to celebrate my 52nd bday next month. I really don’t know why I’m so scared of heights.
I have three men in my life…a husband and two sons…
My eldest: after college graduation he found a job in Saudi Arabia, but everyone knows how life in here, no freedom, limited entertainment, limited mind or should I say restricted! Growing up into your profession needs more resources and time.
so he claimed: I am turning 26, this is not the place for me!
My youngest: teenager, when i tell him something about his “things” I know…I know…
mom, I’m 16!
My husband: He left 3 years ago, he said it’s better for him to have his own business, tired of being an employee. We were discussing about our house in Antipolo.
He told me: I am 52! I know what to do!
26..16..52… does it mean…BACK OFF mom!
Huh, everyone has a number…what about me?? I am also turning 52 and I am still here in Saudi Arabia…WORKING!
It was a cool ,breezing night for all OFW (overseas Filipino workers) in Jeddah, the mood was festive and extra ordinary. Extra ordinary because we live in Saudi Arabia where male and female are usually separated in all occasions.It’s a one night happening in a year, you wont be glad to miss!
It was raining hard, flight was delayed, we only have five days to spare so be it, rain or shine we got to be there, either by air, land or sea and we did it!. My parents were so surprised to see us, as we got inside the house, one by one, screaming, even the dog was barking, the house was full of joy and laughter and teary eyes…it was a great day for all of us!
Don’t know how to float? Come to dead sea, its unusual buoyancy will make you float effortless…Yesss, it’s true, i was able to float in no time, standing or you can lie back and read newspaper, wonderful experience.
October 27, 2011, flying high aboard Royal Jordanian Airlines, My friend Nabil warned not to travel on my birthday but I have a little superstitious belief that If I die, I die in style! 🙂
After meeting the family members and old friends, we headed to Marriott resort and spa at Dead Sea. Wonderful place, large swimming pools ( I think they were 4 of them), I was booked as one of the bride’s family member so for the meantime, i signed my name with their family name, (for discount purposes) yay!
I’m attending a big Royal wedding on 28th of October, I call it “ROYAL” because the bride is my “big boss” first daughter. I knew her when she was seven years old. The wedding will be held at the Jordan Valley Marriott resort which is located at the eastern shore of the Dead Sea.
Help me out ladies!
Dr. Myriam- The Dental Aesthetic Clinic 
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