The New7Wonders Cities

Now we have good reasons to visit these cities that have been announced recently as the New7Wonders Cities of the World.

I have not had the chance to visit all of these cities, yet,  but privileged enough to have lived in a couple of them (Qatar and Philippines) and I really vouched for its criteria of winning to have made them considered to be in the roster of 7 wonderful cities that everyone is now going to go gaga about.

The criteria considered to make them win are strengths and/or potential for sustainable growth, in terms of cultural, environmental, economic and tourism potential; historical legacy and/or potential for growing and sustaining a historical legacy in the future.

Other cities that were included in the final 14 were Barcelona, Chicago, London, Mexico City, Perth, Quito and Reykjavik.  I am sure that most adventure seekers and travel savvy people are now planning this early to see one of these cities in the list including the ones in the final 14.  Having visited Australia a couple of times gave me a little bit feel of regret for not stepping my foot in Perth but in glee knowing that London is in the list for an obvious reason, been in that English capital more often than the rest!

Excited already?!

Official Announcement

Doha (Qatar)

Vigan (Philippines)

London (United Kingdom)

Merry Christmas: Have a blessed one!

 

It is time to bring good cheers and sharing of blessings ones again in this time of the year. 

And so this is Christmas, we wished to be celebrated in each single day throughout the year!

MERYY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

STONEHENGE

The ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is unique, an exceptional survival from a prehistoric culture now lost to us. 

 

The monument evolved between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC.  It is aligned with the midsummer sunrise and winter sunset, but it's exact purpose remains a mystery.

 

Today, this World Heritage Site is a source of inspiration and fascination and, for many, a place of worship and celebration.

 

-English Heritage

 

 

 

The STONEHENGE is located in

Wiltshire, England

 

WORLD CUP: Brazil 2014

 

Some have traveled, some have not; but one thing is for sure, the football fans have enjoyed this much awaited game that happens every four years.  Whether you are in Brazil or not, fans around the world have their ways to witness the action in real time anywhere and everywhere including myself.

Congratulations to Germany, as they beat out squandering Argentina 1-0 to become the first European team to win a World Cup held in South America.  My team Brazil finished in shameful 4^th place though.  Not bad at all!

Here are some of my takes to unleash the fan in me!

116th Philippine Independence Day

 

Wow!  Great job  Google!

 

Happy 116th Independence Day to Philippines!!!

 

MABUHAY!

Happy Labor Day!

 

Happy International Labor Day!

 

The end of labor is to gain leisure.

- Aristotle

Happy Easter

 

1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (NIV)

McDonald's National Breakfast Day Internationally Today!

Who doesn’t love fastfood when you are on your holiday?  Every tourist or a traveler has his own tell tales why he has to embark into any fastfood chain anywhere in the world he is at.  It’s either the most available meal in town or the most economical around.  Either of the two, it is still one of the most enjoyable moment especially when you are on a holiday, it is a dining experience whatsoever.

Today, one of the most sought after fastfood chain around is McDonald’s, who is now celebrating its one of the most successful campaign of all time, the National Breakfast Day (or shall I say International Breakfast Day because this is being done simultaneously around the world?).  

I myself confessed that I try McDonald’s whenever available every time I go abroad, for one good reason, I want to save.  Because I know that when I save more, I can get to travel more.  Indeed, “A savvy traveler knows how to save to travel more”.

True enough, McDonald’s knows what we feel today!  I’m lovin’ it!

DOHA: Work In Progress

If you happen to be in Doha at one point, here are some of the glimpse pictures of what has been going in Qatar lately as the country is rushing for huge constructions around ahead of 2022 World Cup.

Big changes had happened in the face of Doha so quickly that longtime resident only to look back at the memories of the past.



NATIONAL SPORT DAY: On Its Third Year!

 State of Qatar is a pioneer nation at the world level to allocate official holiday for sport urging people to identify the values of sport for human.

Hello!  Everyone in Qatar!  Let’s celebrate again a wonderful healthy lifestyle everyday and particularly on the second Tuesday of February, 11 Feb. that is!  The National Sport Day will definitely bring fun and excitement again especially this time on its third year.

“The Assistant Secretary General for Administrative Support also outlined that the NSD website ( www.sportday.qa) is ready to provide a comprehensive coverage for all sport events, activities, programmes and stories, photos from across the country, as well as it will provide all the participants with a road map to help their access to all locations of the events.”

This is one of the best time to explore the country with a twist! So, let’s go out and move around!

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/sports/qatar-sport/270931/stage-set-for-national-sport-day

Happy New Year 2014

May we all have the most blessed year ever!

Merry Christmas 2013

 

THANK YOU!

Dear Friends,

I would like to start by saying THANK YOU to all!

Thank you to my Filipino countrymen and Non-Filipino friends alike (Yes, you!).

Thank you for all the help you have been extending to the Philippines since the devastating Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda hit the country. Thank you for not even a second had a thought of not helping; thinking that your effort may not be used properly and extended to the people who needed it most. It’s true that we may think so, but did not stop us otherwise.

Our global solidarity as a citizen of the world is once again challenged this time by a recent catastrophic calamity in Central Philippines, a kind of event that we hope would not happen again anywhere else in the world.

We may not be able to return back all your kind hearted gestures, but I am sure that all your good deeds are commendable to God. May HE spare us all always!

Time and again, THANK YOU for your selflessness by helping people beyond your reach!

GOD bless your souls!

My Sincerest,
Roland Ramirez

Solar Eclipse: The Last Seen This Year

The celestial spectacle, the last solar eclipse of this year, was visible in Qatar from 4.19pm until sunset on 3rd of November 2013.

Relax! Take A Vacation Today!

As summer heat in the Gulf is finally receding, people are eager to look forward to a very pleasant weather ahead that could be enjoyed for months till the new summer heat comes back next year.  As for now, get the time to relax and take a vacation elsewhere.

Indeed, weather comes differently in every continent of the world but certainly there must be a way to at least get out of lives everyday stresses, find time for a good time relief. 

God wants us to enjoy life to the fullest, so as our loved ones!

The Tourist and The Traveller

 The difference between the tourists and the travelers:

Tourists

It's usually easy for locals to spot a tourist among them. A tourist may carry a camera, guidebook and map at all times and wear the same clothing he'd wear at home. Tourists tend to stay in their comfort zones a bit; they may speak only English instead of trying to learn phrases in the local language; stick to major cities instead of venturing to smaller towns or off-the-beaten-path locales; and stay in areas where the amenities are similar to what they have at home.

Travelers

Generally speaking, someone who considers himself a traveler will try to immerse himself in the local culture rather than standing out. If you're a traveler, you may try to explore the less-traveled areas and explore locations where tourism doesn't drive the economy. You'll interact with locals. Your goals for a trip will be to learn and experience new things, rather than to take a relaxing break from everyday life. A traveler may consider a trip a journey rather than a vacation.

Tour of Discovery

The great tour of discovery is not through horizontal travels to the south or the north or the east or the west, but through vertical journeys: downward deep into one's own heart to see oneself and upward high to the heavens to see God. 

– Ed Lapiz

Al Zubarah joins UNESCO World Heritage List

        I just thought that this article deserve a second look from the international and local tourists alike.  I have been living here in Qatar for the last eighteen years and never been in this place.  I’ll wait for the winter season as the scorching hot desert temperature is very unforgiving at this time of the year. Surely, I will not leave any stone unturned when I explore this new world heritage site!

The Al Zubarah Fort - Qatar

DOHA: Al Zubarah Archeological Site, a traditional pearl fishing town located on the north-western coast of Qatar, has entered the Unesco World Heritage List.

It is the first Qatari site to be included in the international register joining the 911 natural and cultural properties worldwide. The decision was announced yesterday at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee conference in Cambodia.

Al Zubarah is one of the largest and best preserved examples of an 18th-19th century traditional pearl fishing and merchant towns in the Gulf. A coastal town that is now abandoned, Al Zubarah is situated about 100 km north-west of Doha. Founded in the mid-18th century, the town developed into a centre for pearl fishing and international trade, and rose to become the country’s largest and most important settlement. The town was abandoned by the mid-20th century. Al Zubarah Archaeological Site covers an area of 60 hectares with remains of houses, mosques, large fortified buildings and a market.

Entry to the Unesco World Heritage List is a unique opportunity for the country to build local and international awareness for the site and the values of the World Heritage Convention. Other sites that hold this title include the Yellowstone Natural Park in the US and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums Authority (QMA), who was present at the Unesco event said the decision follows the “enormous effort by Qatar in ensuring the preservation and conservation of this historical site, leading it to be internationally recognised for its human legacy, specially that Al Zubarah is significant to many of Gulf nationals”.

Al Zubarah was first reported as an archaeological site by a Danish-led team of archaeologists in the 1950s, and then excavated by Danish and Qatari teams.

As a result of the studies conducted at the site, a large number of archaeological finds from the 18th-19th centuries are now part of the National Museum of Qatar’s (NMoQ) permanent collection, and will be featured in the museum galleries, QMA said yesterday. - The Peninsula

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/242402-al-zubarah-joins-unesco-world-heritage-list.html

Mangrove Forests

“As an advocate of all groups who’s making our planet greener and safer for the next generations to live, I dedicate a section in this blog about any articles that tackles about saving mother earth from time to time, to constantly remind us of our environmental responsibilities.” – DWTBR Author

Its time of the year once again that we get to enjoy nature in summer here in the Gulf! So, you local tourist out there, is being invited by the Creators magnificent humble mangroves in Qatar!

It’s Travel time!

 

 

 

“Mangrove forests are a unique and rich ecosystem found along intertidal coastlines of tropical and subtropical latitudes. In Qatar, there are approximately eight mangroves concentrated in the East coast of the country. To an unaccustomed eye, they are a rare green sight in a desert land.” – Isabel Ovalle (Peninsula Newspaper)

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/cover-plus/231748-ecosystem-engineers-mangroves-in-qatar.html