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.

SATIATED TUMMY in BORACAY

For sure, tourists will have barrel bellies after every meal because no one could resist the appetizing food that the restaurants in the island offer. 


From Japanese cuisine to French cuisine, from noodles to hamburgers, from the appetizers to the sweet desserts --- all from different Nationalities would definitely be satisfied after a day full of activities. Everyone can fit in. Every food craving can be answered.

the exterior of the restaurant.

a Japanese cuisine menu

But what really catches most of the tourists' attention is the Seafood market found in the heart of D'Talipapa market. The sight of fresh lobsters, shrimps, crabs, fish still squirming is subject to the interest of a seafood lover. Aside from the freshness, the marine creatures are also very affordable which makes the market a favourite spot for hungry visitors.

After purchasing the fresh sea food, you can now eat it raw. (oh, just kidding!) There are eating places along the market that offer cooking services with cooking styles you can choose from.

the prices are based on the weight of the seafood.

Prawns that are to die-for! :)

When we dined at D'talipapa market,
here are the prices of some seafood and the cooking:


php300/kilo fresh prawns
php100/kilo fresh fish
php250/kilo fresh squid
php200/kilo for adobo prawns
php200/kilo for grilled fish, pork and squid


*prices are at low-season rate and subject to change without notice.

MY BORACAY ITINERARY

Before I share my itinerary in Boracay, I would like to impart three things I learned from my Boracay trip. These are tips for newcomers/first-timers/foreigners planning to have vacation in Boracay:


1. NEVER book a flight to an airport that is faraway from your destination. (a seven-hour ride is not really exciting) So for a Boracay destination, Caticlan and Kalibo International Airport would be just fine.
2. NEGOTIATE. BARGAIN. HAGGLE MORE. In tagalog, "tawad". In Visaya, "hangyo". There are so many persons offering Packages and Activities in Boracay so choose the one offering the lowest price. Be clever! and don't be fooled.
3. TRAVEL LIGHT. If I say that, I mean it literally. D'Talipapa market and D'mall in the island sell a lot of things from swimsuits to dresses, from food to toiletries, and all other basic things needed by tourists. (Next time I'll go there, I'll just bring my wallet and camera. Hahaha, kidding!)




Day One -- Nov 20, 2011
MALLING AND STROLLING


11am       arrival at the la carmela de boracay hotel (rest for a while)
12noon    lunch at d'Talipapa Market
1pm        strolling at d'mall, hotels sight-seeing
2pm        check-in the hotel, bath and change
3pm        Road trip at Boracay
6pm        fire dancing and bar hopping


Day two -- Nov 21, 2011
WET AND WILD (water activities)


6am        wake up call (early bird catches the worm!)
7am        free breakfast at the hotel
7:30am   on board the outrigger
8am        start of Island Hopping + Snorkeling
9am        Helmet Diving
10:30am  Banana Boat
11:30am  Lunch at Mang Inasal
1:30pm   Ride the Zorb
4pm       Sunset watching, Swimming
6pm       dinner
8pm       Shopping at d'talipapa market for souvenirs (pasalubong)


Day Three -- Nov 22, 2011
BYE BORACAY (But I shall Return)


4am       wake-up call!
5am       took the first trip to Caticlan Jetty port
(7-hour travel to Iloilo Airport)
1:05pm the plane took off...

my flight details

BORACAY, I'll be back soon... <3