CANIGAO ISLAND

 In the middle of the Camotes sea, lies an infinitesimal island called Canigao Island.

Known by Leytenos as the “little boracay”, this 10-square-kilometer island boasts its white sand beach that glimmers as the sun casts its rays on the shore. While some birds in the sky fly amidst the clear blue sky (when it’s not raining) and trails along the horizon, some boats (called ferry or outrigger) appear carrying tourists who are excitedly looking forward for a day or two at an island. The boats, that could take as much as 20-40 persons, only costs Php45 per person - roundtrip.

From my hometown in Maasin City (capital city of Southern leyte), I boarded a bus/motorcab to the ferry port in Matalom and the ride cost me only 30 pesos (one way only).  Upon arriving at the port, you will be able to choose among the different boats (from different owners) and be asked to log-in your name and contact number for safety and bookkeeping.

After a 15-minute boat ride, you will soon step into its white sand and for sure, you’ll forget all the long travels, stressful days and long hours of work.

___________________________________

A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

THIS SEASON OF GIVING

The beauty of gift-giving is searching the perfect gift for those persons, 

without further inquiry and avoiding discovery.

The joy there is having found the things that can make them truthfully happy.

The satisfaction lies on continuing to give, without expecting something in return. 

This year, I prepared a total of 52 gifts for my love ones. (yup, what an extended family I have!)

It may have been a difficult task --- a tough bumpy effortful journey of searching, buying and wrapping gifts; but once done, and Christmas day came, and as I gave away the gifts, the curved lips forming into smiles and laughter were exquisite!

 

 

While joy can be found in the gifts we receive, there's still no greater gift than LOVE.

Have a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year! :)

* I did not put all of the gifts under the Christmas tree. They were so many, I can't even arrange them all! :)

OUR HOUSE PET

"hello, be my friend!" says he.

Meet Mr. CR, our family lizard.

He is neither a pet nor a pest, 

but he is a faithful boarder of the house 

(although he’s not really paying his monthly dues)

I call him Mr. CR (Comfort Room a.k.a. RestRoom) because that’s his favourite spot.

"I like to go sight-seeing here"

He has an admirably adventurous personality 

- that even with all the lights on and the flashlight beaming on him, 

he continues to crawl on the wall without any hesitation.

According to folklore, once he’s stuck on a human’s skin, he’ll stick with you forever and can only be dealt with surgery. So I googled it and found the folklore fictional (with no scientific basis).

Still, I am scared of Mr. CR.

For me, he appears to be a miniature version of the crocodile. Hell creepy.

SPOTTED

But on a fateful night, after I had my English tutorial lessons, I really had a full bladder so I mindlessly made my way to our restroom, switched on the light, sat on the toilet, and to my frightful surprise --- he was beside the sink, staring at me!

I let out a frantic cry and hurriedly went out -- without even bothering to flush the toilet, turn off the lights or even close my own zipper. 

And as it turned out,  every after classes, I pee outside the house... in the grass. Ha-ha!

MAASIN CITY CATHEDRAL at CHRISTMAS

This is the Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Maasin City, Southern Leyte (my hometown)

Some glimpses of its interior:

the altar

pews

the stained-glass window

antique chandelier

And every December, there in the altar, behold the ADVENT WREATH...


I saw this Advent Wreath the morning I attended the first Novena Dawn Mass in our Cathedral. Legend has it, that if a person completes the Nine Novena Dawn Masses (or popularly known as Nine Mornings) with the addition of the Misa de Gallo (the mass on the day of Jesus' birthday), his wishes will be granted.

 

So, I attended the mass at 4AM and as expected, the church was jammed with Maasinhons (the people in Maasin). Good thing I brought my own chair, and remarkably, I neither got tired nor sleepy. Whoo-hoo!


I want to complete the Nine Mornings.
I want to hear the mass everyday.
I want to make my wishes come true.
Hopefully.

Advent means coming or arrival.

Christians all over the world prepares for four weeks (as symbolized by the 4 candles) before commemorating the birthday of Jesus on the 25th.

Joy to the world the Lord has come,

Let earth receive her King.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE!

For a year full of exciting travels, who would have noticed how time flies?


Well, December 2011 is here and it's 24 days before Christmas Eve...
This time of the year, my most favorite hobby (aside from singing Christmas carols) is decorating our Christmas tree at home.


History tells us that the Christmas tree originated in Germany, pioneered by Martin Luther when he attached lighted candles on his fir tree in his home after being awed by the sight of starlight shining through the branches of the fir trees outside. (oh yes, I did a little research here.) Since then, the Christmas tree has become a symbol of our joyous celebration for the birth of Jesus.


Our family takes part in that celebration. 
And putting up a Christmas tree during this yuletide season
has become a family tradition. :-)

GOLD is the theme of this year's Christmas tree! :) <3 

And when the night falls, we let the christmas lights blink and sparkle...

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Forever true your colour.

Your boughs so green in summertime

Stay bravely green in wintertime.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Forever true your colour.

(I sang this christmas carol while decorating our tree!)

ONE-STOP at GUIMARAS

"Rolling, rolling, the wheels go.

the ferry boat

Travelling is what I know.

I’m here in Guimaras
Where the sweetest mangoes grow."

Well, going to an island is not new to me anymore. But because this is a different place, all of it seems anew.  To get to this island, you may ride a jeepney from Iloilo City to the wharf (php 7.50 only). Or if you’re abundant, you may hop in a taxi to take you to the Jordan wharf.

Be sure your children don't wear heels! 

Astoundingly, there’s no terminal fee. Php 17 is enough for you to ride a ferry boat that would take you to the island after approximately  20 
minutes. 

Upon reaching the wharf you will meet someone who asks for the number of tourists. That person would give you a map of the island highlighting the wonderful tourist destinations.

no need to wear life jackets
if the weather's fine!

Since it is not an urban island, there are no fast foods/ known restaurants (e.g. Jollibee, KFC, Pizza hut) in the place. The good news is there are mini-restaurants “karenderia” where famished tourists can dine in.  The better news is, you can save a lot while enjoying a sumptuous meal. (four of us got contented  with one medium sized fish, 2 chorizo, 2 pork barbecue, 4 cups rice, 1 liter of soft drinks and payed only Php 205!)

We landed in Jordan so we hired a motorcab (php 500 only for the whole trip around) and went to:

The Trappist monastery

The trappist gift shop..

cookies!

mango products

Museo de Guimaras

closed during the time I visited. :(

Guimaras Provincial Capitol

the special Mango vehicle

the E-TRIKE, a solar-powered tricycle

The smallest plaza

The Jordan market

The Jordan church

Unfortunately, because the location of their beaches are far from Jordan (about an hour ride),  we were not able to make it there.

Maybe next time, 


I will visit:

...The Balaang Bukid

...The Guisi lighthouse

...The Guisi beach and other beaches there.

And taste their all-time world-renowned sweet mangoes!

mangoes were still raw. :(

The cab we rented for 500pesos.
The more people, the lesser each will pay.

A travel that satisfies the heart 

and fills the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.