Philippines 1999: Manila - The Colonial capital of Intramuros...

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall..." - Nelson Mandela

Manila, Philippines

(17 -20 September 1999)

I was with four other TERAS team members on a bench-marking visits for the new treasury system for the dealing room of Bank Negara Malaysia. We spent most of our time in offices and have little time to do sight seeing. This was my second time visiting Manila.

Manila is located on the west coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon and surrounded by fertile plains. The city straddles the delta of the Pasig River, a short navigable stream that connects the freshwater lake of Laguna de Bay with the huge natural harbour of Manila Bay and the South China Sea. Hot and humid throughout the year, Manila’s climate is slightly tempered by the sea breezes. Typhoons sometimes occur in May and November.

(Relaxing at one of the beaches)

Originally Manila was a conglomeration of 17 towns and villages, which were brought together under the regime of President Marcos in 1976. Metro Manila is the actual urban core, 15 sq miles of urban sprawl extends to outlying towns and villages such as Quezon City, Pasay City, Pasig City and Makati City, the centre for business and much of the nightlife.
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Manila today is a sprawling chaotic agglomeration that exercises a disproportionate influence on the entire country and is a lesson in contrasts. The dichotomies of wealth and poverty are evident, with the palatial neighbourhoods around Makati contrasting with squatter camps along the river, where the destitute scavenge to survive. So much of Manila still remains mired in the Third World and democracy has brought little change as yet to the poor. The city’s chaos also reflects the Philippines’ cultural diversity – there are more than a hundred cultural minority groups living in the country.

Manila is an overpowering city and can certainly prove to be hectic if you are not prepared for it. A combination of the bustle of the traffic, noise, pollution, poverty and often-shabby infrastructure makes the city seem intimidating. However, Manila’s energy and the good humour of its people become infectious.

The sun shines everywhere.

It lights even the tops of clouds.

Why do I gnash my teeth at daisies

Just because I'm not at home?

👈 1999: Brisbane, Australia

1999: Makkah, Saudi America 👉

Saudi Arabia 1998: 4th Umrah: Madinah - The Runaway Travel Agent

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow..." - Doug Firebaugh

Madinah, Saudi Arabia
(13 - 16 December 1998)

(Ja at Jabal Uhud)

(At Jabal Uhud)

(At Masjid Quba')

(The 2 emak stranded at Madinah Airport)

👈 1998: Makkah, Saudi Arabia

1998: Alexandria, Egypt 👉

Saudi Arabia 1998: 4th Umrah: Makkah - Family Umrah Trip...

"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything..."

Makkah al-Mukarramah

(16 - 26 December 1998)

(Iwan and Ja with their abah)

(All in the family at Masjid Tanaeim)

(The 3 kids with Atok Abah)

(Sara, Iwan and Ja at Jabal Rahmah)

(Ja with his Abah and Tokbah)

👈 1999: Manila, Philippines

1998: Madinah, Saudi Arabia 👉

Egypt 1998: Alexandria - Shining pearl of the Mediterranean...

"Be as smart as you can, but remember that it is always better to be wise than to be smart..." - Alan Alda

(A family photo in Alexandria)

We had a day tour of Alexandria and Abu Dzar, my nephew who was studying in Cairo joined us in the tour.

The second largest city and the main port of Egypt, Alexandria was built by the Greek architect Dinocrates on the site of an old village, Rhakotis, at the orders of Alexander the Great. The city, immortalizing Alexander's name, quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, intellectual, political, and economic metropolis, the remains of which are still evident to this day.

(Ja at the guard house to the Palace)

(Photo shots with the palace guards)

(A beautiful palace in Alexandria)

It was the renowned capital of the Ptolemies, with numerous monuments. It was the site of the Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the Great Library. It was along these shores that history took a tragic turn at the time of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian.

(Iwan and Ja at the Old Lighthouse ruins)

(The remnants of the oldest lighthouse)

Alexandria lies north-west of the Nile delta and stretches along a narrow land strip between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mareotis. It is linked to Cairo by two major highways and a railroad line. It is one of the most notable summer resorts in the Middle East, for, in addition to its temperate winters, its beaches, with white sands and magnificent scenery, stretch for 140 km along the Mediterranean Sea, from Abu Qir, in the east to Al-Alamein and Sidi Abdul Rahman, in the west.

(The two of us at the Cornish)

Much of ancient Alexandria is covered by modern buildings or is underwater; only a few landmarks are readily accessible, including ruins of the emporium and the Serapeum and a granite shaft called Pompey's Pillar. Nothing remains of the lighthouse on the Pharos, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World , and the site of the royal palace lies under the older harbor.

(Time to say goodbye and headed to the holy lands)

👈 1998: Madinah, Saudi Arabia

       1998: Cairo, Egypt 👉

Egypt 1998: Cairo - Tombs of the ancient Pharaohs...

"Good things come to those who wait. But better things come to those who work for it..."

(A family photo)

(Ja at the Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt) 

This is our family umrah trip with a few days stop-over in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt. We brought along our three kids with us and also my parents and my Mother-in-law.

The heart of Egypt for more than 1000 years, Cairo demonstrates the dichotomy of all things Egyptian. It's in Cairo where the medieval world and the contemporary western world come together in a confusion of earthen houses and towering modern office buildings, of flashy cars and donkey-drawn carts. Nobody really knows how many people live in Cairo, but estimates put it at about 16 million, and the city's many squatter camps and slums alone accommodate around 5 million people. Housing shortages are terrible and the traffic is appalling, but the government has begun a campaign to ease these pressures, opening an underground metro system and constructing satellite suburbs.

(A journey on camels to the Pyramids)

(All in the family admiring the great pyramids)

(With the two emak and abah)

(Iwan and his Abah)

Islamic Cairo, which is no more Islamic than the rest of the city, is the old medieval quarter, and stepping into its neighborhoods is like moving back six or seven centuries. This is the most densely populated area of Egypt, and probably the whole Middle East. Districts like Darb al-Ahmar are full of tiny alleyways, mud-brick houses, food hawkers, and goats, camels and donkeys. The streets are lined with mosques and temples, and the air is filled with the pungent smells of turmeric and cumin, animals and squalor.

(Sara and the three Pyramids)

(Ja visiting the tomb in the heart of the pyramid)

(Not for the claustrophobics)

(Even abah managed to reach the crypt)

Some of Islamic Cairo's highlights include the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, dating from the 9th century and the city's oldest intact and fully functioning Islamic monument; the 15th-century Mosque of Qaitbey, considered the jewel of Mamluk architecture; Al-Azhar Mosque, the keystone of Islam in Egypt; and the Citadel, an awesome medieval fortress that was the seat of Egyptian power for 700 years. The Citadel has three major mosques and several museums.

(In front of the National Museum)

(Visiting the National Museum)

(A special tour of the perfumery in old Cairo))

(Jumaat prayers at Citadel of Salahuddin)

River alive!

by Alun Buffry

Whether we laugh, or whether we cry,

the river of life goes rushing by,

down the hills and mountain sides,

into valleys, long and wide,

The happiest of people don't necessarily

have the best of everything;

they just make the most of everything

that comes along their way.

👈 1998: Alexandria, Egypt

             1997: Hong Kong 👉

Hong Kong 1997 - The Pearl of the Orient...

"Every exit is an entry somewhere else..." - Tom Stoppard

Hong Kong

(28 May - 2 June 1997)

Hubby was in Hong Kong to be a resource person for a seminar. I came later with the kids and spent a few days touring Hong Kong island and visiting a few attractions.

(Sending hubby off a week before)

(Boarding the plane with the three kids)

(Waiting for hubby to pick us from the airport)

(Finally arrived at our hotel)

(Going out to look for dinner)

Hong Kong Island, is the center of economy, politics, entertainment and shopping. From the Central District to Causeway Bay in Northern Hong Kong Island is the main commercial, shopping and entertainment area; the residential area is from Tin Hau to Chai Wan on the eastern part of the island; and Southern Hong Kong Island is the recreational area, where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the sea shore and bays, including the famous Repulse Bay and Ocean Park.

(Joining a large morning crowd)

(Contemplating from where to start)

(Cooling off at a fountain)

(Ja and Iwan at the fountain)

(Another water feature in town)

 A visit to Stanley Market is a must. Stanley Market will satisfy shoppers with its many stands, shops, original restaurants, outdoor cafes, and even a performance stage.

(Taking a buy to Stanley Market)

(A shopping spree at Stanley Market)

(Ja and Iwan buying t-shirts and souvenirs)

Among the main attractions on the island, Victoria Peak is the best place from which to admire the lights of this Oriental Pearl. Peak Tower with its famous wok-like architecture stands at the exit of Peak Tram. The amazing Ripley's Believe It or Not! the exciting Peak Explorer Motion Simulator, and relaxing terraces and restaurants are among the favorite stops at this entertainment center. Another favorite attraction is the Madame Tussaud Wax Museum with figures of celebrities including local movie star Jackie Chan.

(A bus ride to the base of Victoria Peak)

(Waiting for the funicular tram)

(A short ride uphill, 1811 ft above sea level)

(Dinner time, waiting for our order)

(Eating Nasi Goreng from the kuali)

(A night stroll, admiring the view from the top)

(In the subway back to the hotel)

Ocean Park is among the top theme parks and aquariums in Southeast Asia, as well as the best marine education center, which makes it a must for families with children. The theme park has various attractions and rides, including four roller coasters, and also animal exhibits with different themes, such as a giant panda habitat, rainforest and polar displays, as well as an aquarium featuring the world's largest aquarium dome.

 

(On the bus to the Ocean Park)

(Getting our bearing from a map)

(The dolphins and orca water show)

(The jovial musicians)

(Waiting in line to board the cable car and roller-coaster rides)

(Ja with a fat hippo)

(Taking a rest after a long walk)

(Sara with the twin zebras)

(With my three beautiful kids)

(Taking the subway back to the hotel)

Today, after spending the whole day visiting parks and museum, we headed to Aberdeen Harbour. Aberdeen is famous not only to tourists but also to Hong Kong locals for its floating village and floating seafood restaurants located in the Aberdeen Harbour. . Aberdeen provides a glimpse of the essence of Hong Kong with hundreds of lighted trawlers on which fishermen and their families live. The Jumbo Floating Restaurant offers superb fresh seafood.

(Self tour around the city)

(Visiting Exhibition Centre and museums)

(An evening leisure stroll in the park)

(Taking a ferry to one of the the floating restaurants)

(A short ride on the ferry)

(A hefty dinner on our favorite floating restaurant)

(Planet Hollywood Hong Kong)

It was the end of our holiday in Hong Kong. Our bags were neatly packed and we were ready to fly back to home sweet home.

(Time to fly home)

(At the airport)

👈 1998: Cairo, Egypt

          1996: Istanbul, Turkey 👉