I did not have much sleep the night before our trip to Bahrain early Saturday morning.  I believe I was just excited!   Actually it was our 4^th time to go to this tiny gulf island-state of Bahrain but I always look forward to the trip.  Since it is an open country, use of abaya is not required but ladies should dress decently and we also have the liberty to eat food of our choice.

Our long trip started at 5:00 am and we drive past vast land of deserts and since my husband was able to sleep well in preparation for the trip, he was alert while driving.   Just the same, he prepared some taped songs – uploaded fast and upbeat music.  He knows that classical music can definitely lower his alertness.  Actually, a couple joined us in our car and our male friend did his share of storytelling besides my husband while my girlfriend and I were asleep most of the time at the back seat.

It was almost lunch time when reached our destination and we praised God for a very safe journey!

Saudi-Bahrain border

We will be traveling to Bahrain today , Saturday and convoy will leave at 4:00  a.m.   Speed is not our primary focus,  our husbands will drive leisurely to get to our destination safely.

My husband hit the sack early to have  enough rest and sleep.  I know he will wake up refreshed, ready and excited for the long distance drive. I am also ready and done with my things, and my laptop and camera are all fully charged.  I am looking forward for the trip and for sure, there will be a lot of interesting topics to write about while on board.  You’ll hear from me!

Got to go….

I’ve received a phone call from a relative just today and she is based in Canada.  I was so glad to have heard from her after long lost years of not hearing from her.  She told me that she got my number from another cousin whom she met by chance  a week ago .  She  gave an open invitation to stay with her once I decided to go for a visit.  I’ve heard that she got a huge house with a pool and a beautiful garden.  I would love to go there but not during winter time!  No way!  Although, I am dreaming to see snow but I know myself,  I won’t be able to withstand the extremely cold weather.   Maybe because, I’ve been living here in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years now and my body is very much accustomed to hot weather.   The  slightest drop of temperature makes me shiver and  made me running to grab for my sweater.

It has been a long time dream of mine to go as far as United States, Canada or Europe.   Hopefully, I will be able to visit either one of those countries in the future.   Right now, I am so excited over the idea of making a perfect plan for  a Canada vacation.   My in-laws are happily settled in Toronto and they’ve been urging us visit them and if it materialize, I will be hopping from one house to another because of the many invitations I received from relatives and friends.

Oh well… hopefully soon.    That’s for sure!

I  came upon pictures (lots of them) from our trip to Hong Kong and I particularly liked the jump shots !  My 3  children along with their cousins had a blast and tirelessly jumped their might to have a perfect shot.   While we, their  elders gamely posed too.  Even my Mom barely jumped  few inches off the ground and it was a real joy.   Call it a leap for joy!  Too much excitement, I guess..  We toured the city, explored the night market for  bargain hunt but went home with only few finds.   Actually shopping in HK is not part of our itinerary but decided the last minute to go for a walk.  At  least they were able to see for themselves the famous Tung Choi street night market.

We enjoyed Hong Kong a lot.   Let us “jump” to that!  lol.

We are more than glad that we had already visited Hong Kong before the celebrated hostage drama happened in Manila.   This very unfortunate incident was broadcasted and criticized by millions of people.  The Hong Kong government warned their citizens from traveling to Manila!  And we Filipinos have this second thoughts of going this time because the “issues” are still hot.

As I mused about that news, I told my husband that it’s good last December we already had visited Disneyland.  Our family made few good side trips to Hongkong before but Disneyland was still non -existent so, when it was announced that it is already operational, the family planned to go again and my immediate family  especially my Mom whose been wishing to tour Hong Kong are included in the group tour.

We started mapping up our trip as early January 2009, purchased tickets  on line by mid-March and excitedly counted the days and months till the big day.  We came in 3 separate groups.    My husband , my youngest son and me travelled from Riyadh to Hongkong,  another batch; my sister and her family came all the way from Australia and the last batch of 8 people came from Manila.  So, we , the first 2 batches met them in the airport for a happy reunion in Hongkong.   Since, we  know more or less how to go about in that place, we acted as their tourist guide.  Hong Kong is a haven for tourist.

Going out in a big group is terrible but fun!  For first timers in Hong Kong like my Mom and my siblings along with my nephews and nieces,  they were in awe at the majestic view of Victoria Harbour especially at night.   We spent our whole day in Disneyland, next day, we went to Ocean Park, The Peak and many places that offered a lot of good memories.   We were impressed too with their  transport system especially the MTR (Hongkong train ) which is very quick and efficient.  The overall impression and the tour itself is very fulfilling.

Well for now, we just have to wait till the bitter memories died down.   We don’t have any immediate plans  of going back to Hong Kong.  We might as well  explore more our country -the Philippines.

It  promises beautiful sceneries as well.

Travel sometimes worries me especially in choosing a hotel to stay in.   We had an unpleasant hotel stay that spoiled our time away from home when my daughter was bitten by bed bugs  a year ago in a hotel where we stayed in.  Since then, I am very much particular with hotel choice.    It was miserable because she was scratching and scratching and soon after…red welts appeared on her skin.   It was very annoying and she was grumpy the whole time that even us were got affected of her bad mood.   I can’t say that the hotel is not clean, in fact, it is  a 4-star accommodation but for some reasons, it was infested with bed bugs.  We immediately checked out after a day and vowed never to come back again.   An aunt reminded us to check the bed mattress for creepy pests especially the back part and to have an idea what a bed bug is.

My daughter suffered for 2 days before the itching subsided.  Initially,  I had it washed with warm water and soap to remove any toxic substance in the bite.  However, her body reacted negatively to the insect bite because it was worst, she was scratching and itching like crazy.  We applied soothing calamine lotion to help her withstand the uncomfortable feeling while we were heading home.  It was only after 2 days, the itch was gone but the memories of that hotel stay lingers.

It was an experience to learn from.

Ramadan Eid will be from the 7th till the 13th of September  and it will be week – long holiday.   I have already applied for my exit reentry visa for we planned to go to Bahrain.   Of course not only to eat pork & hotdogs.. but primarily to attend a conference.  Yes, pork here is “haram” or forbidden so we can only have a taste of those kind when we are home for vacation or to a place where it is allowed.

We will be traveling by land and and our reliable Camry will take us far; about 6 hours long drive from Riyadh.   We will travel by convoy,  with 5 or more cars and I guess, the trip will take a bit longer because two cars will have children on board.  We are expecting it to be a relaxed ride with plenty of breaks and pit stops – no rush.. leisurely travel.

Since my children are all grown up, I gave some tried and tested car travel tips to my friends who are going with us along with their kids.   I told them to pack a special bag with crayons, pads, books, toys, activity sets to keep them busy.   Along with those, they needs to pack snacks, juices, towels, a small medicine kit, baby wipes for emergencies.  CD’s or tape their favorite songs so they can sing along, or a laptop to let them have a good cinema while on the highway.  Well, there are  kids who can easily fall asleep while on the car so bring their favorite pillow.  And how we wished that the kids will be easy to deal with so our  friends  will not get burned out.

We are looking forward to our happy vacation 2 weeks from now!

A get-together with my High school batchmates took us as far as Tagaytay City- 2 hours drive from Manila.   We wanted to get the feel of the cool weather in that hilly city so we trooped there for a change.We  particularly liked  the lunch served in a Spanish inspired restaurant and we enjoyed the  clear view of the Taal volcano from afar.  We had been talking about and were excited to see the well  known Zipline attraction which promises a rush of adrenaline to those who will dare tried the ride.  I’ve been telling my friends that I had this fear of heights and trying it is unthinkable.   Due to much prodding, I was challenged!  I haven’t made up my mind yet but a buddy had already purchased tickets for both us.  So, no more backing out!  OMG, while we are getting prepared and harness safely strapped around me, I can’t help but feel the loud pounding of my heart and my mind kept dictating that I have to speak out that I can’t do it! I wanted to run away in an instant but how can I?  I was tied up.  So, when they pushed us away, armed with prayers as we descend through the forest up to the other side and 300 feet off the ground, I  pretended that it is not scary.  In the long run,  I  enjoyed the experience of flying like Superman.  What I did was to look ahead, open my arms like flying wings and did not look a the bottom for the more it will scare me.    It was an exhillarating fun ride as we glided along a suspended steel cable and I will never forget the experience.  Whew!

I was perspiring all throughout when we reached the other side of the cliff bu at it was a relief that I made it… Yehey!  I was so proud to have conqured my fear!

Will I try it the next time around?  Nah!  Not anymore… I had tried it once… please no more….

I hate myself for not knowing how to pack sensibly.  I stuff my bags with unnecessary things everytime I travel; be it  international or local out of town travels.  I was overbaggaged on my last trip Manila-Riyadh and it was very inconvenient.  I have to open my luggages and figure out what things to get rid of for I was not willing to pay the excess kilos.   Good, that my brother and mom are still waiting in the parking lot  and with instruction not to leave until I am cleared in the check in counter.  That saved my excess stuff!  It was too much hassle on my part, that  I told myself that I need to learn travelling light but oftentimes, the urge to bring more than I should always prevailed.   A friend told that I should only pack the basic and necessary ones but my stubborness sometimes get me into trouble.

Next week I will be in an out of town trip with friends.  I am thinking of starting to pack early and decides on what to bring -only the essential ones.   I have to avoid the hassles!  I had enough of it.