Dachshund - The Walking Sausage

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Despite the heat of the sun on our way to our farm, Pikkles enjoyed walking. I attempted to carry her few times but she struggled to get down so I gave her the pleasure to walk. Its a long way to get there. I was worried because she is a sausage. Pikkles have a long body and short legs. My single step would mean five to ten steps for her. But she was happy walking with us. She followed me most of the times. Sometimes she walked ahead of me, stopped and checked me if I was following her. She ran past me too and waited for me when she saw I was far from her. And she looks so cute when her tongue popped out.

My Parents, My Roots

Life change a lot as we grow older. We separate from our parents. Do our own thing. Live our own life. Face challenges without them. Total independency. But it doesn't mean that when you are in your 30's your parents are not your parents anymore. Mothers are still mothers even when their kids have families of their own.

My mother still treats me like a young girl. I'm her youngest so she treats me as her youngest.

With my busy schedule, I can't usually visit my hometown where my mama and papa still lives. But this weekend, in time for our barangay fiesta celebration I spent time with them.

And they were so happy...

My Babies 4th Birthday

I think of Youoie's birthday in advance but I missed it when it came. I was not home during his birthday. It was a saturday and it's their bathing schedule. When I came home, I was informed that he did not have his bath on August 6 in time for his birthday. I wished I was home to bath him myself.

When Pikkles birthday came on August 16, I made sure to have their birthdays celebrated together. I bought burgers for them and put a candle on top of it. My treat for the whole family.

Happy Birthday Youoie & Pikkles!

A Glimpse of the Kadayawan Festival 2011

I was not around for two consecuive years of Kadayawan Festival. This is almost my third year of absence. My childhood bestfriend invited me to spend three days in Boracay but I obligely declined just to spend the festival with ABS-CBN.

Friday, August 19, ASAP rocks Abreeza Mall with Rafael Rosel, Shaina Magdayao, Bugoy, Angeline Quinto, Megan Young, Gab Valenciano and G Force.

On Saturday, August 2, I was on the street enjoying the colorful Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan.

Photographers, photo hobbyists and journalists were obliged to register and pay a certain amount to cover the event in designated places.

In the afternoon, ABS-CBN stars John Lloyd Cruz, Ron Morales and Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin loveteam, Coco Martin and Maja Salvador made the crowd stayed at SM Parking lot even when the rain poured hard.

Sunday, August 21, I missed the floral float parade and asked a photo from a friend to post for this blog.

I love the colors of Kadayawan, how about you?

Caricature (of my Sexiest Self 18inch waist)

Whoaw! In my couple of days in Prague and couple of times crossing the famous Charles bridge, I submitted myself for Caricature.

At Charles bridge, we can buy anything from earrings, paintings, bracelets, ref magnets and other souvenirs including caricature.

While my friend was looking for a framed antique watched, I went to the other side of the bridge asking how much is the caricature. I cant remember exactly if it was 350crowns (almost P900) or 450 crowns (almost P1,150).

I was so excited to have my first exaggerated self. So I posed in no time to have the artist started his work. I put my right hand on my waist, put my sunglasses on my head and there he started to draw me.

It was hard to pose like a model hahaha but it was fun though. I was afraid that I may look like Bob Marley but the artist assured me that I will not look like Marley. Or maybe I look like Angelina Jolie (in my dreams). He said that he can make me look like Marilyn Monroe for 2000francs. Its very expensive! I was laughing hard.

It was done in five minutes. I was happy to see myself with big (.....), big butt and very narrow waist.Is this 18 inch or 15 inch? Hahaha.

I said to the artist, WOW I have been dreaming of this big (....) at last I have it because of you....

Sink in Beer

I'm not a beer drinker but when I was feeling stressed with what happened on our first day in Prague (see my blog..legally robbed in Prague) I felt I wanted to sink in beer and yes we did. I didn't like the taste, its strong for me. I only consumed one small glass.

The second night, we decided to sink in beer again, AL FRESCO! We had dinner and drink near our hotel for safety reasons. Our hotel is fronting the German Embassy. Two to three minutes away is the American Embassy. So we felt so safe walking on our way back to hotel. Its a safety zone!

We tried another brand. It's a draft beer and taste better than the last night, the brand is famous in Prague. It's CERNA HORA! but I still got tipsy. One glass, Im done.

It was a celebration on our third night, I consumed 2 glasses. It's our last night. I got so tipsy but no worries we were on the safety zone of Prague!

Another beer for our first night in Gimmelwald, Switzerland. The place is a postcard! Beer taste great with a great view. It seems Im a beer drinker already. No, just for this trip..

Last beer for our last night in the swizz alps...

And another beer for our one night stay in Geneva...

Consecutively drinking for many nights just to taste the beers in Europe...

Im home now and no more beer! I must not sink again....

In Her Majesty's Secret Service, Switzerland

On our second day at Gimmelwald, we were confused to visit Schilthorn Piz Gloria or not. Its where James Bond "In Her Majesty's Service" was filmed and was released in 1969. Piz Gloria is the name of the revolving restaurant in Schilthorn, near Murren at Bernese, Oberland, Switzerland. It is claimed to be the first revolving restaurant at 9,744 feet. We were so sure that the place is amazing.

From Gimmelwald, we took the cablecar to Murren. We shopped some food and drinks using their market bag. Enjoyed the view at the same time. Murren is kinda touristy. We decided not to go up to Schilthorn because its expensive, it's 85 francs/4,780 in peso back and forth. We can trek from Murren but we have no time anymore. Its our last day and it requires 4hours to reach the peak and 4 hours going down.

We took a train to Allmendhubel.

Just when we stepped out of the train, I was not in control, I took lots of photos. The place is breathtaking! Spectacular!

A nice restaurant stood there.

We sat on the bench, feel the mountain breeze, enjoy the views some more, appreciate God's creation and took more photos.

There we saw the Schilthorn peak and dreamed of it.

Schilthorn is near yet so far.
In our minds we will be back to climb the mountain. We just dont know when.

We left Allmendhubel and walked through their flower trail.

Wild flowers of different variety made the trail so lovable to walk. Photos, photos, photos...

We descended through the north face trail. I never knew that it was the North face trail until my friend told me. I cant believe it! We were on the north face trail! using a market bag not a backpack! Hahaha...

We passed another quiet village just below Schilthorn. What a place to live, so peaceful...

It was a long walk but easy trail. We passed an avalanche zone but sans snow because its summer. We saw an avalanche protection for the first time that are constructed with three legged wood that anchors downhill. They are installed in the parts of potential paths of avalanche to retard the snow to slide and prevent destruction of human life, animals and properties.

I was enjoying our trek at the same time learning. How blessed I am to visit the place. This part of the universe is still ecologically balanced, flocks of birds are flying, butterflies are sucking nectars, animals eat grass healthily, trees are green and air is fresh to breath.

As we descended lower and lower, we realized we were at Murren again.

As we continued trekking, we arrived at Gimmelwald contented but wishing for more days to stay but we have to leave the next day...

It was another day in paradise so I say.

One day will be back to witness the location of  "In Her Majesty's Service", Schiltorn....

Gimmelwald, Switzerland - one of God's Landscape

Gimmelwald Switzerland! I never knew this place before until three months ago my friend introduced me to this majestic place. It was a very brilliant idea. After all the research where to go in Switzerland we picked Gimmelwald. I saw great photos at the internet but I thought that the photos are just mere reflections of the place.

We arrived Geneva past 11pm and rested at City Hostel Geneva. Hostel is nice, clean and just five minutes walk from the train station. How I love Geneva! Train service is very efficient and its absolutely free ride from the airport. You just get a free pass at the machine before going out from the airport.

The next day, we were scheduled to visit Gimmelwald for two nights. Fare is quite high from Geneva, it's 75 francs one way or 4,250 in peso. Its three hours travel. Three trains, one bus and one cablecar.
1. Train from Geneva to Bern
2. transferred to another train from Bern to Interlaken
3. transferred another train again from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrannen
4. then bus from Lauterbrannen to Stechelberg
5. Then last is cable car from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald.

Upon arriving at Lauterbrunnen, I was almost in panic to get photos. The place is picturesque! But we have to ride the bus before missing it.

At Stechelberg, Im not in control already. The place is spectacular!

But we have to keep moving to catch the cable car on the way up to Gimmelwald.

At last, we were on Gimmelwald! Its 4,485 feet high.

Oh my God! The place is breathtaking! I never thought that the place looks so good. I felt like it was a heaven on earth. I was really tired but the place was too good to be missed. So we jumped immediately after checking in. It was cold and we were on our jackets to keep us warm. I love it! The mountains in snow caps brings peace in me.

The quietness of the village is very invigorating. All the people there must have a restful sleep Im sure. I think they dont know about insomnia! It doesnt exist there. War doesnt exist there too.

My eyes were feasting on the houses built on the mountain. I love the rustic designs.

The flowers are everywhere, in the garden, in front of their homes, hanging in their windows, in their front yard, in their door, in the road....it's really everywhere. I love flowers a lot, it brings joy in me. It's absolutely a gift from God.

The long road took us to the forest. On our way back, we took the opposite way. It was a bit higher portion of the village. The more we go up, the more it gets better and more beautiful!

I must describe this place as:

GOD's LANDSCAPE!

We dozed off for our next day adventure.

Legally Robbed in Prague

We arrived Prague from Paris at around 4pm. We took a cab to our hotel at Vlaaska. Hotel is very nice, looks like a museum and it's 500 years old. I repeat it's 500 years old! It's colored orange with flowers on it's walls.

The receptionist was so accomodating. She gave us coffee and discussed everything about Prague. Where to go, where to shop, where to eat using a map. She encircled her recommended places. Because I was tired, it was like forever to me. I wanted to go to our room and rest but she kept on talking. I was afraid she will show another map. It was helpful but it was an information overload.

At last we checked in. Rest a bit then head to the Infant of Prague church. The church interior was a big WOW! I can't describe it in words. I wish they allow photos taken. We attended the mass in Czech. I understand nothing but I know when OUR FATHER was recited. The
sound, the pause and stops were the same so I recited OUR FATHER in English. It was like a dream to be there.

After the mass, we climbed the Petrin Hill of 1,043 feet high where Prague's version of Eiffel Tower was built in 1891 is situated.

The climb was fairly steep but pleasant and healthy at the same time. We enjoyed their garden at the top. Love the roses in different colors.

We went up to the observation deck using elevator for 150crowns (400 in peso), there we see the whole of Prague! Magnificent! Red roofs!

It's getting dark already and since we were tired, we decided not to walk anymore. Funicular railway for 24 crowns(P60) was the best choice to go down without pain and hassle. After the tickets were dispensed from the machine, we went directly to the funicular then off we go.

In just few minutes we were on the lowest point of the hill. There were two personnel
waiting for passengers that just disembarked. One personnel asked our tickets. Confident
enough, we showed it to him as a proof that we ride the funicular with tickets.

He checked it and said,

Personnel: "YOUR TICKETS WERE NOT VALIDATED".

We were surprised but managed to ask what shall we do to validate?

Personnel: "YOU WILL BE FINE FOR 700crowns or 30euros each FOR NOT VALIDATING".

We explained our side, that we are tourist, that there were no signs so we could follow. There was a staff inside the booth but gave us no assistance what to do after purchasing the ticket from the machine. Then he showed us the instruction at the back of the ticket. And we said its too small for a tourist to read.

We explained again but he was playing deaf. We asked him if we could talk to his supervisor, he said "it's already late, come back tomorrow if you want to complain". He even told us that we can call the police. We asked his ID and he showed his ID. We asked if he will issue us an official receipt, he showed us the receipt. Since we displayed no intention to pay, he asked our passport but we didnt show it to him, afraid he would somehow confiscate it. He told us we cannot go out if we will not pay.

I was already furious. I argued with him. And we told him all these:

IT's A TOURIST TRAP!
How many victims do you have everyday?
This is not good for your country!
We paid for the fare, we cannot get the ticket from the machine if we didnt pay. It's not fair for your visitors!
You should have assigned a staff to instruct tourists!
Blah blah blah (as in nagyawyaw ko in English)

I'm sure he is already used of the same complains everyday so its normal to him. He was really playing deaf...Why listened anyway when they make money from it?

In the end we really have to pay to get out from the building. We paid 700crowns each. Its
1800 in peso. He issued us a receipt.

Aside from us, there was also a Czech family of five with a Filipina wife that was fined. They also argued with the other personnel. But got no choice but to pay.

We were afraid to call the police because weve heard stories that their police system is not good too. Corruption is common so we might pay more.

I hate my first day in Prague!

We visited the funicular again on our last day. This is the line that they have. Imagine how many tourist victims they have everyday...

The rest of my stay was all well. Museum and church hopping was our goal. Prague is beautiful! Except for the fine...

When in Prague, validate your train tickets!