Travel Well

“You don’t have to be rich to travel well.” – Eugene Fodor

Garden Wedding

 

Are you planning to tie the knot soon?  You are probably on the lookout for that perfect location - may it be in a church, in a civil wedding hall or a much grandiose garden wedding.  Well, look no further!  A garden wedding is so much in demand these days, so much so with a garden wedding by the beach side.  It is not only literally refreshing,  it also gives you a feeling of bliss on that important day, because, I’m telling you, that bliss will be so missed when you are on a family way real soon after.

Of course, you got to find a perfect month for that perfect weather.  You also got to have an alternative location to keep at close should there be a sudden change of weather forecast in a flash.  I am talking based on experience, this was when I attended a niece wedding by the Marina Bay in Sydney, Australia when suddenly an outpour of rain on an unexpected strong wind course ruined the supposedly perfect garden wedding day.  A close beach club venue saved not only the couples important day but also the whole entourage and guests perfect outfit of the day!  Well, we called that a drizzle of blessings.

So, whether you are planning for a grandiose or modest kind of tight budget, there are plenty of destinations to look from this time of the year.  We in the Philippines do not run short of destinations to choose from as we are blessed with over 7000 (7,107 islands to be exact on low tides) islands in one nation to boast for.

 

 

                   Marinduque, Philippines      Bret/Viber

 

An inquiry to a good one or two wedding organizer could do the magical trick.  So here is one reputable name in the field that could take away the worries out of your mind - or your hands rather, suggested by a good friend Mr. Bret Pilapil whom all photos here in this particular post were provided by the way, please contact - The Wedding Planner Mr. Resty Montepieda.  Just leave a comment below for your contact queries.

 

In case some of you are scouting a place for the same or just planning to hang out with family and friends, especially for those who live within the area and/or from neighboring provinces in Marinduque, Philippines, there are numbers of resorts around town.  It is also noteworthy to feature here the beautiful South West Bay Resort (in photos) at Brgy. Bacung-bacung, Gasan, Marinduque, Philippines.  Summer time is around the corner, so go pack your things ahead for that great holiday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Travel!

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

Travel Quote by Ibn Battuta

 

Marinduque, Philippines

 “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

Happy New Year 2016!!! It's A New Travel Year!

Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.

 

 

We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

 

#ColorTheraphy

 

Paris 2015: Climate Change Conference (COP21)

 

Remember my old article about the Doha 2012 UN Climate Change Conference: COP18/CM8 back in November 2012? http://dreamworldtravelbyroland.blogspot.qa/2012/11/doha-2012-un-climate-change-conference.html

This year the UN Climate Change Summit is ongoing in Paris, France. The Climate Change Conference (COP21) hopes to be successful and fruitful for us all as world leaders are presently battling with what little is left.

Let us make this world a wonderful place to live for us and the future inhabitants to come…and for other people in our present generation to enjoy of what are still beautiful places that left there is.

 

 

“The world is expecting more from you than half-measures”

“The clock is ticking towards climate catastrophe.”

- UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

 

 

 TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

#PrayForParis

 

 When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

 

 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.  -  1 Corinthians 13:13 - NIV

 

ROZZA HASSAD: The Greenhouse

I know most of you have walked into a botanical garden somewhere in the world as any country has several around, especially those labeled as green.  By green, I mean any environmental conscious country there is.  How about greenhouses?  I’m sure you have.  And mind you, I never have… until recently.
 

On my recent local trip in Qatar one Saturday, I was amazed by one of these local farm houses around the country.  I read about the article in one popular local online magazine in Doha (Doha News) and bumped into this article that says “Things to do in Qatar this weekend”, and it got my attention into one thing to do that would interest me, a visit to a greenhouse somewhere in the outskirt of Doha.  At first, I thought it was just a similar botanical garden with a greenhouse in the middle of the dessert as many rich would have for their private indulgence which anyone can only see from afar when you travel on a main roads going to the north or to the south of the country.  

 

We started our trip somehow in a bad note because we got lost and seems like do not know our way around to the place even if we were looking through a location map. We were not enchanted for one but the experience of getting lost gave us more excitement in driving around nowhere, the thrills were priceless.  The place only opens ones a month from sometime in September or October to April depending on the weather at around 10am till 2pm, so imagine the suspense if you get late because your mental GPS is malfunctioning, not to mention that your petrol is dwindling.  See how terrible it could be if we were stuck in the middle of nowhere in some faraway dessert?

 

Getting there was even a surprise, it was not your typical greenhouse in the middle of nowhere but an impressive one that only few can afford.  The place is called ROZA HASSAD (google it!) in Umm Leghab, Dukhan Road.  The greenhouse is not just flowers, vegetables and crops production farm but a very environmental friendly one.  It is self-sufficient and self-sustain farm.  It produces its own water for irrigation, recycles water, produces its own natural compost and uses the most sophisticated temperature and light controlling system; and the most simple pest control techniques which are by the way again all natural.  At the end of the guided trip you can have the opportunity to bring produce on your way back home!

 

So what’s better way to spend your holiday next weekend?  But you just have to wait for months till next season of the opening day comes back around (as per schedule announcement). 

 

Below are some photos in action, of course, with the permission to blog an article about from Mr. Jean Pierre, the man himself, a kind tour guide who lets us get in, even if the door was already closed… because we were late (big thanks to the management!). 

 

Their environmental advocacy is well worth promoting, please support them as well next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs Courtesy of: 

Mr. Mykel Quinto (MQ House of Photography)

 

http://dohanews.co/seven-things-to-do-in-qatar-this-weekend-april-9-11/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002972576915&fref=ts

Sports Travel: 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

 

What is more fulfilling traveling the world than doing sports altogether?

Just recently, a friend of mine has done something amazing in improving her health and physical looks by the way of doing sports…triathlon it is!  She used to be heavier than what is required.  She put extra mile towards what she has now achieved in sports.  Now she is qualified to join the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia…  And her name is Nerissa Usero.

Nerissa loves to travel; one of the factors I think that gave her that much enthusiasm participating in sports competitions abroad.  She and her husband are also into photography.  Their recent visit in the United Kingdom tested their stamina in traversing the streets of London with me at one point with their DSLR Professional Camera.  Strike the pose!  

I cannot keep up with them walking around so I left to give them time to explore around London by themselves.  As sporty she is, I’m sure she did a lot of walking to see places around town.

Are you inspired enough in doing sports travelling the world yet?  Please click to open the article’s hyperlink at the bottom to learn more from her recent broadsheet newspaper interview.  Let’s follow her road to the Southern Hemisphere at Mooloolaba in September, 2016.

http://www.gulf-times.com/sport/192/details/452311/-doha-based-nerissa-qualifies-for-2016-ironman-703-worlds

 

Sunshine Coast to Host IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

Originally from: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2014/07/sunshine-coast-to-host-ironman-70.3-world-champs.aspx#ixzz3kamVjhI2

6 Easy Ways to Avoid Fraud Abroad

 

     I just thought that it could be more helpful if I share you this very important article that could help you remember to be more cautious when you are out there on a trip somewhere.  Mind you, remembering these tips for one of your travels in the future could come handy.  I had the slice of my fair share once when I was vacationing in Eastern Europe.  I won’t tell you where it was as I want to protect the reputation of that country which I value dearly.  Every place I traveled left a special place in my heart as well as in my psyche... and cannot compare one from the other.  Of course, we got to be careful even in a place where we thought to be the safest.

    
     Please take time to read and feel free to click the link below where the article originated.  Thanks to the original author.

 

6 Easy Ways to Avoid Fraud Abroad

Travel should be about fun, sun and relaxation, not worrying about where your credit card info or personal identity might end up. The only risks you should be taking on vacation involve a second--or maybe third--round of margaritas poolside. Here's how to protect yourself and keep your identity safe, according to Justin Grudzien, Chief Information Security Officer at Orbitz Worldwide.

1. Don't brag on social media... until you're back.

This is going to be unpopular, but don't tell all your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram followers that you're going on this great trip to Paris and will be gone all week. There used to be a website called PleaseRobMe.com. It effectively mined data from social media and told you when people would be away from their home for a while. It's likely that sites like this still exist, but don't stop posting altogether -- you also don't want to suggest that you're gone by not posting anything at all. Once you're back, those travel photos are fair game; post all you want!

 

2. Take only what you need on vacation.

The number one thing to protect is your passport or ID. I only travel with one piece of identity, and leave things like medical and social security cards at home. That way, should something get stolen, the damage is as limited as possible. Also, I bring two credit cards: one that I use, and another that I keep locked in the hotel safe, just in case I lose the other one or it gets stolen.

3. Avoid the scan scam.

Most passports these days are RFID-enabled, which helps you get through customs faster. But these can be easily scanned from afar without you noticing. Luckily, there are certain kinds of secure holders that will protect your documents from this, so I definitely recommend getting one of those. I would also keep such documents on your person at all times.

 
4. Help your credit card companies help you.

First and foremost, call your credit card companies.  All of them.  Credit card companies have fraud systems, and they monitor your spending patterns. So if you're traveling internationally, credit card companies need to know -- if they start to see transactions in, say, London, they might shut you down. And that could be a major burden on you.

 
5. Wear it well.

Be aware of your surroundings, and keep your important documents in your front pockets instead of back pockets, since it's a lot harder to get something out of a front pocket without you noticing. The same goes for purses -- try to always carry something with a cross-body strap, and to keep your purse in front of you. And keep everything else that you don't need locked in the hotel safe.

6. Keep an eye on your accounts.

All the big credit-monitoring companies -- Experian, Transunion, and Equifax -- have three-in-one credit monitoring. Sign up for one of these to get alerts, and keep an eye on major changes to your balances, or any accounts in your name that may spring up once you've returned home. And, of course, call your bank to let them know you're back and to keep an eye out for any suspicious foreign charges.

 

http://www.msn.com/en-ae/travel/tips/6-easy-ways-to-avoid-fraud-abroad/ar-BBlriUn?ocid=iehp

Explore New Areas

“If you can't travel every day, at least try to find something new within your hometown.”

This is the phrase I just bumped into this morning while reading one interesting online article from MSN’s 25 Daily Habits That Will Make You  Smarter (at number 20), a great point to ponder about travel.

If you can't travel every day, at least try to find something new within your hometown. You'll meet different people, learn new facts, and understand something new about the world. It's a lot more productive than staying at home and watching TV. —Manas J Saloi

 

 

Screenshot pic of the article

http://www.msn.com/en-ae/money/careersandeducation/25-daily-habits-that-will-make-you-smarter/ar-BBjUnw1?ocid=iehp#page=11

 

 

#EarthDay2015

It's Earth Day today!

Earth Day is being celebrated every 22^nd of April each year to remind us of our environmental responsibilities.  Let’s help in nurturing earth and everything in it!

 

 

...and hey!  Also try the Google Doodle. Take the earth day fun quiz!

 

 

Which animal are you?

 

http://time.com/3830883/earth-day-quiz-google-doodle/

 

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