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MY BUCKET LIST AS I TURN 60

Filed under: Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — 12 Comments

October 9, 2013

I earlier planned to throw a big party but at the last minute decided against it. I’m NOT really into parties, anyway. Perhaps I should do that when I turn 65 instead. I would have more wrinkles then, and my double chin and jowl may be more pronounced. Or the big party can wait till I turn a full 70. Then, I’d give a really LONG speech. By that time, not too many would be willing to listen to an old hag so i’d make them suffer! All in good humor, folks. Honestly? I’m thankful — and proud — to turn 60. Forever 60 you say? Well, why not?

At my age, I’m allowing more spontaneity, more randomness, more “irresponsibility” into my life. Like when we went on a roadtrip with kids with no hotel reservations. Or when I hopped on the next train in Atocha Station in Madrid just to go somewhere out of the capital. Or riding a horse, trekking 800 steps to an isolated Bhutanese monastery in 9 degrees celsius, or spelunking in Sagada with a guide who would have carried me if he could, rather than wait every time I stopped for oxygen breaks. Heck, I’m having fun!

Yet I can’t help working on a travel bucket list. There are plenty of new places I long to visit, and just as many to revisit. And the list keeps getting longer. Maybe I need another lifetime to do all. Hopefully more trips with family and friends. Now, let’s hope those walking legs would hold 😉

My Bucket List

Macchu Picchu + Iguassu
Santiago de Compostela+San Sebastian
Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana
Uganda (mountain gorillas?)
Finland (Aurora Borealis)
New Zealand

Myanmar
India
Luang Prabang, Laos
Hanoi and HaLong Bay

Budapest+Slovenia+Dubronik, Croatia
New York+Niagara
Tibet. Guilin. 3Gorges.
Canada
Galapagos
Iceland
Greenland

Tags: Bucket List, Destinations, Musings and Ramblings, Travel Plans, Travel, travels

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IN AND OUT OF SYDNEY

Filed under: Australia, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

September 24, 2013

It’s rare that I travel without any plan. But that’s what I just did. As soon as I heard my eldest sister needed surgery, I flew to Sydney as fast as I could. The first 2 weeks involved pre-surgery medical procedures. The 3rd week meant life in St. George Private Hospital in Kogarah where my sister had her surgery and subsequent recovery. Thereafter, we waited nearly 2 weeks for the pathology results. It was quite an ordeal but by the 5th week, we were celebrating! All throughout, the family stayed tight and kept faith. We celebrated “being family” as we made excursions to heritage towns and beach spots, visited Abbeys and churches, watched movies, packed picnic baskets, walked through some parks, dined out and in my last week before going home to Manila, partied like crazy. In the midst of adversity, we managed many family outings. This is our story.

DAY TRIPS OUT OF SYDNEY

Kiama and The Blowhole

The Benedictine Abbey in Jamberoo

Wollongong

A Sunny Break In Watsons Bay

Kangaroo Valley

Blue Mountains and Echo Point

Jenolan Caves

A Rizal Park In A Sydney Suburb?

Berrima

A Ferry Ride To Manly Beach

Goulburn’s BEST Bakery

Off To CANBERRA’s Cockington Gardens

IN AND AROUND THE CITY (SYDNEY)

Darling Harbour

Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Cathedral, The Domain, Bondi & Coogee Beaches, Circular Quay, Etc

Mt. Annan Botanic Garden

We’re FAMILY!

FINALLY, SOME MUSINGS & RAMBLINGS

Tags: Australia, Day Trips Out of Sydney, New South Wales, Suburban Sydney, Sydney, Sydney's Suburbs

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Winter Over, Here Comes Spring!

Filed under: Australia, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — 7 Comments

August 31, 2013

No travel plans, really. I came for personal reasons and for my OZ family. Specifically for my older sister who fell ill. Last time I visited was back in 2004. Yes, a long time. I grew complacent as it was always THEM visiting me, rather than me visiting them.

Gratitude is the memory of the heart.
(An afternoon in Mt. Annan Botanical Garden)

One overseas call and I dropped everything to secure that OZ visa and get on a flight to Sydney. Took a while and it felt like decades just waiting. Just when the visa was issued, the weekend flights were all fully booked…. except for one. I got the last seat on Qantas for a direct flight. Just in time to be around for the pre-operation medical procedures, the surgery and hospital stay, and another “decade” waiting for the pathology results. All of 4 weeks in Sydney and we finally heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Lissa and Levy are 2 years apart. I was the “baby” in the family.

Three Sisters. Two Survivors. We terribly miss our middle sister — the talented one in the kitchen who baked breads, muffins, blueberry cheese cakes, strawberry tortes and the finest-tasting sans rival cakes and other pastries. She was only 37. Levy and I took turns at the hospital watching over her. It’s been 30 years since. All 3 of us must have inherited the dreaded C disease from Mama who passed on at age 55. Papa joined Mama in 1991, some 22 years back. Levy and I — 9 years apart — survived. But we were continents apart, and Ate (older sister) Levy has yet to fully embrace this internet technology. [Once she called me and forgot to turn off her mobile. Her bill could have covered nearly half of my airfare!) 🙂

Mama with Ate Levy and Me in Baguio City back in the 60’s.

Family and friends prayed and prayed real hard. We lived from day to day until Week 4 when we received the good news that Ate Levy beat the odds. To amuse ourselves and keep us off the worries, we made family trips here and there. Ate Levy’s children took turns taking leaves from work to drive us around. I only managed ONE DAY with college friends who came by and took me off on a day out to Berrima — a wonderful break from family duties. (Thank you Lin and MA) My other friends based here and around do understand I simply wanted to be around my sister and family. Others I decidedly didn’t get in contact with as I realized it’s not a good time for “first meet-ups” (my apologies, my TravelBlogger friends). It’s just ME —- eager to make up for lost time with my OZ family. Besides, I was just too busy keeping the worries at bay. 😦

The “kids” posing in front of the ancestral house, with their grandfather’s namesign behind. Once I heard my grandnephew Xion say … “We’re cousins. We should love each other.” Makes me proud these babies are being raised as good kids as these nephews and nieces are.

But winter’s over. And that’s true literally and figuratively. At the beginning of spring and on my fifth week in Sydney, we made so many unplanned day trips. Our hearts overflowed with joy and gratitude. The first trip — from the surgeon’s clinic to the first church we passed — was most significant. Like we remembered every single step towards the church smiling ear to ear, not even missing each melodious note from street buskers nor the aroma of food delicacies from a neighborhood Filipino store. God in His mercy blessed us with a good sense of humour to survive adversities, a grateful heart for Him and the many prayer warriors, a keen sense of family and unity, and above all, a strong faith that our “winter” will soon be over.

Rookie took many of these shots in Mt. Annan Botanical Garden. Flowers abloom to welcome spring. In our hearts, it was all time-spring.

In our trying times, my sister and I nearly forgot the children have grown. THEY took over. And I’m mighty proud of them all. I have no doubt our grandchildren will all grow up as responsible adults. Like their moms and dads. Knowing that, I don’t mind growing old to welcome more “springs”…….

Here’s an amateur’s video of “Levy Beating The Odds”

http://youtu.be/ASHK8WmpOd8

MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT. Thank you so much for all the prayers.

Tags: Australia, Family, Musings and Ramblings, Sydney, Travel, travels

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SYDNEY’s Harbour: WHAT A DARLING!

Filed under: Australia, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

August 28, 2013

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Tags: Australia, Darling Harbour, Lindt, New South Wales, Nick's, Sydney

Of Sydney’s Parks, Beaches, Quays and Churches

Filed under: Australia, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

August 27, 2013

Sydney is NOT the capital of Australia. Canberra is. Rather, Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales. And it is a most charming state capital. Earlier, I didn’t think much of Sydney. While I love the harbour bridge, opera house and adore Darling Harbour, it ended there. This recent trip of mine changed all that.

The Iconic Sydney Opera House

View of Sydney Olympic Park while having breakfast in “Lilies On The Park”.

This old hag from the Tropics arrived in the dead of a mild winter. Mild, for them. And I came NOT as a tourist but for very personal reasons. All of 6 weeks without stepping foot outside of the state of New South Wales. I wasn’t keen to “tour” around, having visited twice before, and really, not having much by way of expectations. But the family decided for me. After all, we needed the “break”, and we wanted to feel “family”.

Kid-friendly. Seniors-friendly. Lake Belvedere in Sydney Olympic Park.

Finally. BONDI BEACH!

The last 2 trips, I have not visited Bondi Beach. Many friends asked why I missed it, and I grew tired saying there wasn’t time nor a chance. Next time I was asked, I decided to simply lie. And so my family thought it’s about time I come “clean” and finally dig my toes into Bondi sands. Winter or not! Luckily, we had a sunny break and Bondi Beach was teeming with wakeboarders and swimmers in scuba outfits. So, this is Bondi! Frankly, I prefer the more relaxed vibes in Manly Beach, Watsons Bay and Coogee Beach. But that’s just my opinion.

The 9 km walk along the coast. Manly Beach.

Coogee Beach. Lovely. Even with planes hovering above…

Once, I was given some “me” time when I met up with my niece in Hyde Park. I decided to go a couple of hours early. Enough time to round up the park and the gardens before visiting St. Mary’s Cathedral where a Filipino priest said Mass. It was tempting to just stay inside the Church given that cold afternoon. Determined not to “waste” the opportunity, I walked till I grew tired and cold. This stab at solitude was most comforting, if you ask me. Plus it allowed me to see and appreciate Sydney in a different perspective. This country puts a lot of importance on quality living considering its many parks, gardens and safe beaches. Whenever I find filtered water stations, clean toilets and train stations, safe beaches and jetties, I gain a newfound respect for Australia. What clinched it for me was really the fact that I felt safe and undisturbed while enjoying my “me” time. Something I failed to do in other cosmopolitan cities elsewhere in the world. (Read: no touts selling their wares, no beggars or bums asking for a cigarette stick, no pushing crowds).

St. Mary’s Cathedral

Hyde Park.

The only things that broke my “temporary break from society” were those magpies swooping down as if to hit them dumb ones like moí. I took cover in the shaded areas of the park and royal gardens and then sought comfort in one park corner watching chess played out in a giant board. I found this gem right beside the Saint James Station.

Doesn’t look like winter, right?

The Domain. Be warned. It can be a long walk!

When the magpies took leave, I started walking again towards the church. Right outside were a bride and groom likely doing their pre-nuptial shots. Garbed in their wedding outfits, it looked kind of odd to watch them reviewing their shots. Leaving the odd couple, I walked towards the square fronting the church (or is that the back?) and headed back towards Hyde Park. There I waited till my niece arrived. Thankfully, in time before i started freezing. 😉

Shall i call this the Church Plaza? Or Church Square?

I didn’t mean for this photo to come out this way. Seriously. 😉

Tags: Hyde Park, New South Wales, Opera House, St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, The Domain

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Day Trip Out of Sydney #12: CANBERRA’s Cockington Garden

Filed under: Australia, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

August 26, 2013

It’s the kind of miniature park that will certainly amuse children who’d likely experience their first “trip around the world” here in Cockington Green Gardens. Interestingly, most of the visitors are adults who were all fascinated with the gardens and the fine details of the architecture and landscaping displayed here.

The original section displays Old English architecture and heritage sites in England. Prominently displayed is the old Cockington Village after which this garden was named. Complete with a miniature train which whizzes past all these miniature cottages and mansions as well as popular sites in Great Britain, I was just a tad disappointed not to find a miniature Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Bridge or Tower of London. Yeah, that would have been nice. 🙂

Complementing the original section is an International Section featuring popular sites in many countries in Europe, South America, Asia and Middle East. It is tempting to draw up a bucket list of must-visit destinations here. Miniature parks allow us to see the “big picture”. Ironic, I know. But we do tend to miss many details when confronted with the actual site. Like, Masada in Israel is featured here in its entirety and full glory. Not the ruins I witnessed back in 1996 when I visited the Holy Land. Borobudur at 100% viewing may not offer the lovely details one appreciates while rounding up the temple, but you see it here in a different perspective and newfound appreciation.

Such craftmanship displayed here! Patience and attention to details definitely abound in these creations. Plus the gardens are maintained truly well. Kid-safe too, methinks. Just as we were about to leave, we found a miniature Toragan representing our island nation. Toragan is a Maranao ancestral house where the village chief (called sultan or datu) resides. This architecture is distinctive because of the protruding butterfly-like beams in front of the house. Found in Southern Philippines where many Filipino-Muslims live, these stilted houses bear folk art paintings on its beams. Very, very ethnic. [ I just noticed the Philippine flag here is upside down, with the red above the blue, signifying war. What gives? ]

Tags: Australia, Canberra, Cockington Garden, Day Trip from Sydney, World In Miniature

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SYDNEY’s Mt. Annan Botanical Garden: Just A Family Affair

Filed under: Australia, Musings & Ramblings, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

Today’s one afternoon that’s all ours. No worries. No rush. No serious discussion. We’ve had one too many in the preceding 4 weeks. The gardens and ponds are waiting for us. Today. The empty benches beckon. The ground is carpeted with blooms, signalling the onset of spring. We peeled ourselves off the thicker jackets and got ready for a “walk in the park”.

We have passed this Park many times on our way to my nephew’s house. All of 416 hectares between Camden and Campbelltown. Because it is too near, there was no interest to drop in in this botanical garden claimed to be the largest in Australia! But today is a special day. My bags are packed, nearly all clothes laundered clean and stuffed into a suitcase, ready for my imminent departure. I’m down to my last pair of pants and jacket, along with my pair of boots that will all stay here and wait for my next visit. We all wanted to take a leisurely stroll with the kids, even spend some time in the playground, hike up a small hill, sit by the bench near the pond. Act like a family 😉

It would be nice to have a LONG walk here next time. Or maybe, given its size, biking is the better option. I haven’t biked in decades but I’m confident I can still do this. I should plan my next visit here real well. Maybe bring a picnic lunch. There are picnic tables and benches by the pond. Yes, that should make for a lovely afternoon.

What a relaxing afternoon for us all. A prelude to last-minute repacking and a long flight home. Say hello to Spring. Bye, Winter.

Tags: Australia, Botanical Garden, Mt. Annan, New South Wales, Sydney

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RUBY (Canberra): Jackie Chan’s Australian Roots

Filed under: Australia, Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

August 25, 2013

Jackie Chan is one of my favorites. I remember my father shaking his head whenever he sees me watching Jackie’s old kung fu movies on TV whenever I’m home. Not that I’m a sucker for martial arts. I simply enjoy comedy action films. And Jackie Chan’s movies fit the bill alright.

Not many know that Jackie’s parents lived in Australia. As did Jackie. His parents settled in Canberra where his father worked as Chef in the US Embassy. Before long, his parents became successful restaurateurs.

In his own words, Australia has been good to his parents. Canberra was home for 46 years. And RUBY remains a landmark Chinese dining place in the country’s capital. No surprise, really. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal there the day we visited the capital.

What really comes as a surprise is that the place never claimed its connection to the famous martial arts and comedy actor. No hints. No references, even. Not one dish bearing “Jackie Chan’s Favorite xxxxx” whatsoever. (Thanks, Rahns, for bringing us here!)

Tags: Australia, Canberra, Day Trip out of Sydney, Jackie Chan, Ruby

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Day Tip Out of Sydney #11: Roadtrip To Canberra Via Goulburn

Filed under: Australia, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

August 21, 2013

Midmorning and we’re on the road towards the capital. Canberra is the country’s capital and while this is my 3rd visit to Australia, it’s my first to Canberra. Like many, I am curious why Australia chose Canberra as its capital over either Sydney or Melbourne. Perhaps there is a grain of truth to the claim that Canberra is a good “compromise”? To be honest, I am biased in favor of Sydney but then again, that wouldn’t be fair to Melbourne. I visited the latter only once, and must confess the weather then prevented me from exploring and enjoying Melbourne more.

It could have been one uneventful drive, but for one accidental detour more than hour after setting off. Goulburn’s Merino greets visitors who venture out of the freeway to drop in at what’s claimed to be the best bakery to be found in New South Wales. Well, at least the billboard on Sowerby Street said it was the best in 2008. No clues what happened in 2009 onwards. But the sizable crowd inside as well as the parked vehicles outside are obvious hints they run a good place here.

And who’s Trapper? Owner’s name is Keith Tapper, and a painting of the man who started this successful business hangs on one of the walls. The popular bakery has the usual offering of breads, pies and sinful-looking rolls. I spotted an open fireplace off a corner where a group of “seniors” seem to be enjoying a skillet of bacon strips and eggs paired with some goodlooking breads. Outside by the porch is a pack of “wild hogs” aka matured men off their big bikes, some donned in their leather jacket and pants regalia. 🙂

If I didn’t have too much coffee at home, and knowing we’re just another hour’s drive from Canberra, I would have bought coffee to take away. Now, I couldn’t tell you guys if coffee’s good in this place. But hey, the aroma of freshly-baked bread and meat pies make it an ideal pitstop. Ideally located beside the giant Merino and a gasoline station, you may even wish to stretch those legs to view some goodlooking churches around the corner. As the now familiar OZ reminder on billboards say….. “Stop, Revive, Survive!” Now, back on the road. To Canberra!