A visit to UAE won't be complete without experiencing the desert safari.
Dune bashing, Camel encounter and local performers are just ordinary in the desert life...
Day 6: The Desert Safari Experience
KALI: Only a life lived for His glory is a life worth living...
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
A WEEK IN UAE: Fjords of Musandam
KALI travels: A WEEK IN UAE 01
Mid of October, cousins went to visit us... it was an extra challenge for us to compress the activities in a week, given that they are 2 adventurous guys... this will be a series of A WEEK IN UAE...
Here's our Day 1: Musandam Dhow Cruise in Oman
Mid of October, cousins went to visit us... it was an extra challenge for us to compress the activities in a week, given that they are 2 adventurous guys... this will be a series of A WEEK IN UAE...
Here's our Day 1: Musandam Dhow Cruise in Oman
Charming Cha-am
Our vacation won't be complete without kissing the sun and sand...
we initially thought of Pattaya to wrap our first Thailand adventure, but after seeing an article about Cha-Am, we got more excited.
we initially thought of Pattaya to wrap our first Thailand adventure, but after seeing an article about Cha-Am, we got more excited.
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| Sunrise @ Regent Cha-Am Beach Resort |
Cha-Am is a district in the southern part of Phetchaburi Province, central Thailand. Like Hua Hin, it is also a well known beach resort town but there is less foreigner and more of family and students. There is no night clubs or bar and restaurants at the beach side, but its long and wide and shoreline is perfectly calm and relaxing...
Hop In To Hua-Hin
Right after our Damneon Saduak: The Floating Market and Our First and Last Elephant Ride experience, we run towards Hua Lamphong Station, the main rail way station in Bangkok to catch the train to Hua Hin.
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| Hua Lamphong Station |
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| Hua Lamphong Station |
Hua Lamphong is the main terminal to northern, eastern, northeastern and southern Thailand.
The station was opened on June 25, 1916 after six years' construction.
The station was opened on June 25, 1916 after six years' construction.
Our First & LAST Elephant Ride
The supposed to be number one must do in Thailand, our first & LAST elephant ride experience...
Despite the disappointments from the tour operator and taxi driver, we couldn't hide our excitement on this new experience...
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| at the tree top |
It was on our bucket list, of course, to sit atop the world's largest terrestrial mamal...
until we were finally seated.
Damneon Saduak: The Floating Market
Being a first-timer in BKK, the floating market and elephant ride experience wouldn't be missed out. It happened on our 3rd day - morning, before we travel to Cha-Am in the aftenoon...
After many research on how to go to floating market, bus routes etc... due to limited time, we ended up with a taxi driver who offers a service in bringing us to the place.
Bangkok Temple Visits
Shopping and Temple visits are the 2 major things to do when in Bangkok... that's what I always see on blogs and trip advisory. However, I never imagined that there are more that 400 wats (temples) around BKK, just like the mosques here in UAE.
Considering that we were are in Muslim country, with a very conservative culture, we were able to adapt easily on their Buddhist cultures although they are of different faith. Respect other's culture and understand their belief is basic and important things to practice when travelling.
From my previous post, we Cruise Along the Chao Phraya River... and this is the same route that we took to reach the temples...
THE GRAND PALACE | the spiritual heart of Thai Kingdom
Built in 1782 - and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government
Cruise Along Chao Phraya River
I had a 5-days short visit to Thailand. It was my first time and admittedly, I didn't have much expectations since they always compare it to Manila.
That is one good thing that I learned from travelling; the places is not exactly what it was on Google, so its better to expect less and be surprised rather than get frustrated. And yes, BKK surprised me... being a Filipino, somehow its painful to admit that it is way better than Manila...
Travel time from Dubai to Bangkok is about 6.5 hours. We arrived in the afternoon.
Fiery FIRENZE
From PISA: The Square of Miracles, we headed back to FIRENZE (Florence).
This is the capital and most popular city of Tuscany and considered the birthplace of Renaissance.
The city contains numerous museums and art galleries and is noted for its culture, Renaissance art, architecture and monuments.
It has been ranked by Forbes as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
It has been ranked by Forbes as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
PISA: The Square of Miracles
A region in Central Italy, Tuscany is known for its landscapes, tradition, history and artistic legacy. It is regarded as the birthplace of Renaissance.
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| View from the train |
Leaning Tower of Pisa, being one of the Wonders of the World, was of course on our list of places to visit when in Italy.
Venezia
Who doesn't know where Venice is... or should I ask, who doesn't want to visit Venice?
Venizia (Venice) is a city in nortthestern Italy, composed of 117 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges.
It is one of the most interesting places in the world.
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From Milan, we traveled for almost 3 hours via Trenitalia to reach Venizia Santa Lucia train station.
Below is the first photo I took as my feet stepped on Venice.
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| View in front of Venzia Santa Lucia station | Church of SAN SIMEON PICCOLO AKA SANTI SIMEONE E GUIDA |
A Short Trip to Wurzburg, Germany
A city in the region of Franconia, Northen Bavaria, Germany and is located on the Main River, the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia.
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Our visit to Wurzburg was unplanned; we missed our train to Stuttgart after our short visit to the Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Germany's Fairy Tale Dream Town.
Our misfortune was turned into an exciting adventure; we arrived late night at the Wurzburg Hauptbahnhof and went straight to the nearest hostel.
The next day was another unforgettable moment of our Europe escapade...
And we found ourselves walking in this city along the Main River.
Stuttgart Offers More
Europe Journal 04
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany; the 6th largest city in Germany. It has variety of hills, valleys and parks and also tagged as the "cradle of the automobile."
We went to Stuttgart to visit relatives;
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany; the 6th largest city in Germany. It has variety of hills, valleys and parks and also tagged as the "cradle of the automobile."
We went to Stuttgart to visit relatives;
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| The Bauer family: Uncle Gerhard, Nanang Lita, Stefan and Erla |
Ludwigsburg Palace and The Fairy Tale Garden
Europe Journal 03
It was our last day at Stuttgart when we visited Ludwigsburg Palace. It is a historical building in the city of Ludwigsburg which is just 12 km north of Stuttgart center.
Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is one of the largest Baroque buildings in Europe to survive in its original condition.
It was our last day at Stuttgart when we visited Ludwigsburg Palace. It is a historical building in the city of Ludwigsburg which is just 12 km north of Stuttgart center.
Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is one of the largest Baroque buildings in Europe to survive in its original condition.
Maldives Journal: Exploring Indian Ocean
I know my post on The Maafushi Adventure was not enough...
Well, that was just a glimpse of what the paradise on earth looks like.
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2 out of our 4 days stay, we were literally floating the middle of Indian Ocean.
Well, that was just a glimpse of what the paradise on earth looks like.
2 out of our 4 days stay, we were literally floating the middle of Indian Ocean.
Maldives Journal: The Maafushi Adventure
Maldives is 'A dream destination'. I have always put that on my wish list... & for years, it just remained there, until this April.
Tourist don't know where they've been; travelers don't know where they're going. - Paul Theroux
This Maldives adventure wasn't planned at all. A friend jokingly asked for it and I said yes immediately. After a week of checking promotions, browsing some reviews and "computing" for budget, we sat one afternoon for 3 hours to search for flights and accommodation and finally do the bookings.It was spontaneous. We are group of four, with different interest. Initially, as everyone else would imagine, we wanted to go to an exclusive island resort...
A paradise in the middle of Indian Ocean, just how we all imagined. The same way that it remains an imagination if we look at it this way.
Tourist don't know where they've been; travelers don't know where they're going. - Paul Theroux
This Maldives adventure wasn't planned at all. A friend jokingly asked for it and I said yes immediately. After a week of checking promotions, browsing some reviews and "computing" for budget, we sat one afternoon for 3 hours to search for flights and accommodation and finally do the bookings.It was spontaneous. We are group of four, with different interest. Initially, as everyone else would imagine, we wanted to go to an exclusive island resort...
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| (Image from Google) |
Jordan Journal | Up to Mt. Nebo and Down to Dead Sea
Here we are, heading now to the final 3 destinations from our Jordan travel:
Let me take you to the City of Mosaic, go up to the peak of Mount Nebo where Moses got a view of the Promised Land, and down to the lowest point of Earth - the Dead Sea.
From the Roman Theater, we had a city tour around Amman. No more stop at this time; but the bus pass along the souk, the commercial district and a private village where big villas are located.
Let me take you to the City of Mosaic, go up to the peak of Mount Nebo where Moses got a view of the Promised Land, and down to the lowest point of Earth - the Dead Sea.
From the Roman Theater, we had a city tour around Amman. No more stop at this time; but the bus pass along the souk, the commercial district and a private village where big villas are located.
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| Wadi Abdoun Bridge The only cable-stayed bridge in Amman |
Jordan Journal | The Fascinating PETRA
Magnificent, wonderful, amazing, awesome, incredible, astounding, bewildering, breathtaking, impressive, marvelous, miraculous,spectacular, staggering, startling, striking,stunning, stupefying, stupendous, wonderful, wondrous...
Can't think of the best word that would describe Petra when you see it live!
The pictures in the internet are awesome, but being there, walking along the Siq and standing in front of the Treasury is another experience.
Few days before we leave for the Jordan, I have checked all the possible Jordan / Petra blogs that I can review so I would know what to do and what to expect... but its far from reality.
You can imagine the most amazing things but when your feet stepped upon the entrance, it was a totally an indescribable feeling... (more than Aladdin and Princess Jasmin's carpet ride, I guess!)
Are you ready for the fascinating Petra experience? Come and travel with me...
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Can't think of the best word that would describe Petra when you see it live!
The pictures in the internet are awesome, but being there, walking along the Siq and standing in front of the Treasury is another experience.
Few days before we leave for the Jordan, I have checked all the possible Jordan / Petra blogs that I can review so I would know what to do and what to expect... but its far from reality.
You can imagine the most amazing things but when your feet stepped upon the entrance, it was a totally an indescribable feeling... (more than Aladdin and Princess Jasmin's carpet ride, I guess!)
Are you ready for the fascinating Petra experience? Come and travel with me...
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| It's about 2 hours from Amman Jordan to reach Wadi Musa, where Petra Archeological Park is located. |
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| Town of Wadi Musa. Petra is located between those mountain rocks - Mount Hor. |
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| The Map |
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| This bench will welcome you as you enter the Petra Archeological Park. |
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| Jabal Haroun Horse back riding along the plains of Petra |
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| Jabal Haroun |
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| Jabal Haroun It is advisable to ride a horse to reach the Siq |
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| Obelisk Tomb and the Triclinium |
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| Jabal Haroun |
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| The Dam The area is visited by flash floods and archaeological evidence demonstrates the Nabataeans controlled these floods by the use of dams,cisterns and water conduits. |
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| @ the entrance - The SIQ ("the shaft") |
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| The SIQ ("the shaft") |
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| The SIQ ("the shaft") A natural geological feature formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks and serving as a waterway flowing into Wadi Musa. |
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| The SIQ ("the shaft") |
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| The SIQ ("the shaft") |
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| The canal for the water supply. |
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| The SIQ ("the shaft") The walk along the Siq is one, if not the best walking experience you'll have in your life. |
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| Tomb |
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| There are many altars that you can see along the Siq |
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| Altar carved on the sandstone rocks |
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| Tired of walking? There is also a carriage ready to tour you around... |
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| Nabataean Limestone RockCarvings of Human and Camel Figures |
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| Statues of gods and goddess carved on the sandstone rocks along the Siq |
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| More altars along walls of Siq |
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| More altars along walls of Siq |
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| More altars along walls of Siq - this the altar for wedding ceremony |
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| More altars along walls of Siq |
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| More altars along walls of Siq |
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| The narrow gorge - (in places only 3–4 m (9.8–13 ft) wide) |
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| The narrow gorge - (in places only 3–4 m (9.8–13 ft) wide) |
At the end of the narrow gorge stands Petra's most elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh (popularly known as "the Treasury"), hewn into the sandstone cliff.
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| Al Khazneh | The Treasury |
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| Al Khazneh | The Treasury |
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| Al Khazneh | The Treasury |
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| Al Khazneh | The Treasury |
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| A-W-E-S-O-M-E |
You will be speechless while standing in front of The Treasury...
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| The Treasury guard... |
If you think you've seen enough... think again!
The Treasury is only the opening to the Lost City...
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Yes. Behind these rocks is the discovered - "Lost City"
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Colorful sand-stone rock
Behind these rocks were hidden untold stories of Nabataeans...
Whole day isn't enough to explore the Archaeological Park, but just merely walking along that Siq is more than enough experience to treasure for a lifetime.
And you can always consider having a NEXT TIME...
Jordan Journal | Day 3: The Fascinating Petra
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| Tomb |
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| Street of Facades |
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| High place for sacrificial offerings |
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| Inside the tomb |
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| The Monastery |
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| The Urn Tomb |
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| Petra View from Urn Tomb |
Behind these rocks were hidden untold stories of Nabataeans...
Whole day isn't enough to explore the Archaeological Park, but just merely walking along that Siq is more than enough experience to treasure for a lifetime.
And you can always consider having a NEXT TIME...
Jordan Journal | Day 3: The Fascinating Petra
Travel date: 06 October 2012
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