My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 17)

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 16)

What Does Your Birthday Mean?

Your Birthdate: July 13

You're dominant and powerful. You always need to be in charge. While others respect your competence, you can be a bit of a dictator. Hard working and serious, you never let yourself down. You are exact and accurate - and you expect others to be the same way. Your strength: You always get the job done Your weakness: You're a perfectionist to a fault Your power color: Gray Your power symbol: Checkmark Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 15)

Airline Meals

shrimp and ground meat canapes, scrambled egg croissant, roast meat sandwich, dried mangoes for dessert and orange juice

milkfish with terriyaki sauce with garlic fried rice, scrambled eggs, baked tomato, pandesal with strawberry jam, fruit cocktail for dessert and orange juice

In-flight meals are nice to look at but hardly the same with the taste. Airline meals notoriously been pictured as bland, soggy and lacks flavor. There is an explanation for the blandness of airline food, according to Wikipedia the perceived blandness of airline food can be attributed largely to a consequence of the limited space available on aircraft. Meals must generally be frozen and heated on the ground before takeoff, rather than prepared fresh.

Another explanation is also that taste buds are less sensitive to higher altitudes, making everything tastes bland.

I don't care about the reasons. For whatever reasons there are in the universe what matters to me is that I wholesomely enjoyed my recent 2 in-flight meals aboard Philippine Airlines (pictured above). I gave them both 8 out of 10 points just for taste. I liked the canapes better than the sandwiches as both breads are tough. The milkfish is a little soggy and the terriyaki sauce is quite far from the real terriyaki sauce I'm used to.

I submitted the pictures above to (www.airlinemeals.net). It is the world's first web site dedicated nothing but airline food. You may browse their thousands of in-flight meal pictures including crew meals and airport lounge food.

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 14)

Let There Be Green Flights

Today the whole world celebrates the International Civil Aviation Day with the purpose to generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation in the social and economic development of states and the role of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in promoting the safety, efficiency and regularity of international air transport. In line with the simultaneous discussion of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, there is a clamour all over the world to make air transportation around the world more environment friendly to lessen its impact on climate change.

As we all know that we only have one sky and one planet to shelter us, we are all responsible for protecting them both by addressing the various adverse environmental effects of our daily activities.

Proof of Global Warming

Inline with the United Nations Climate Change Conference in the paradise island of Bali, Indonesia, I would like to present you my take on this very serious matter. The onference brings together representatives of over 180 countries together with observers from intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and the media.


Kidding aside, here's a more scientific explanation....

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 13)

I'm off to Dumaguete & Siquijor... ill be back in a jiffy

I love long weekends!!! (who doesn't)... Tomorrow is a non-working holiday and I used one of my few remaining vacation leaves so I can have a 4-day vacation. This time I will be in Negros Oriental and the beautiful island province of Siquijor. I'm saving the best for last so this will be my last trip for the year. Never been to Dumaguete City and Siquijor so I have no pictures yet to show you here in this post.

Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor (picture taken from www.mysiquijor.com)

Apo Island (picture taken from www.dumagueteinfo.com)

Hang on to Your Seats! Piso Fare Is Here Again

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific rolled-of today its year-end sale to its domestic destinations through its much awaited seasonal PISO FARE promotion. The airline is offering 1 peso one-way fares for travel from January 1 to March 12, 2008. More than 100,000 seats are up for grabs. Logically, the promo fare doesn't include fuel surcharge and government taxes. For example, a one-way fare to Cebu will cost you less than 1,400 pesos, while a one-way fare to Davao costs you around 1,600 pesos.

So hurry and buy your tickets fast as the year end PISO FARE will only run from November 28 to December 2, 2007 or until seats are sold out.

The easiest way to book your PISO FARE flight is through the airline's web site www.cebupacificair.com

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 12)

Dancing Kegler

Got this from one of my favorite blogger Janice of Singapore... I didn't realized all these years that I can dance well, hehehe :)

PLEASE... don't laugh at my dancing :)

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 11)

My Views on How to Have a Memorable Travel

• Before embarking on a once in a lifetime adventure in a place or country that you don't know where to find in a globe, always try to research and take time to know the local culture by blending in with the locals. It pays most of the time to be observant with your new and unusual surroundings and take a cue from that on what to do next. You have to experience how locals live, what they eat and what are their interests.

• When you think your research didn't made fruitful answers it is always fine to talk to local residents as they obviously know their own culture and city. A guidebook might tell you that the shop around the corner is the best place where to dine or shop but many locals have different opinions so take consideration their inputs.
  

• Many of us are guilty of this... as much as possible avoid rushing from one tourist attraction to another in an Amazing Race attempt to see it all. In the first place it is uneconomical so in my opinion it is better to savor and enjoy to the fullest just one or a few sites that to visit all what the guidebook says just to cross them in your "To Visit" list.
  

• Always be unconventional by trying new things. One way to do that is to eat bizarre foods and trying local wine or drinks. When choosing where to stay avoid those international brand chains, better yet try in the local hotels, hostels or bed-and-breakfast.
  

• Undoubtedly, it is fun (but not always recommended) to make a fool of yourself while enjoying your brief stay in a place or a country. Anyways, those people who are witness to your "acts" will not likely be there when you got home.
  

There you go... hope these tips made sense :)

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 10)

Free Airfare, Free Lodging, Free Chow... Lucky Me!!!

I thank Philippine Airlines and Mabuhay Miles for coming up with the Great Miles Getaway promo. I will be visiting again the very beautiful province of Palawan for the weekend. I exchanged my 5,000 reward miles for a free roundtrip ticket in Mabuhay (Business) class. Without the promo you need 10,000 reward miles for the roundtrip ticket. I only paid for the fuel surcharge and government taxes amounting to 2,324 pesos.

Am I blessed or just lucky because I will be staying with my friend who is a resident of Puerto Princesa. No need to fetch me at the airport as her house is just less than 1 km. from the airport. The last time I'm in Palawan my friend even lend her car and toured me and my sister around.

The fun of free stuffs didn't stopped there. She told me that she will prepare a picnic basket and we will go to one of the islands in Honda Bay for the day.

Photograph taken from the Philippine Department of Tourism website.

The Mabuhay Miles Great Giveaway

Now is the BEST time to redeem your Philippine Airlines miles.

Mabuhay Miles, the frequent flyer program of Philippine Airlines (PAL), have lowered the redemption values by 50% to selected PAL domestic and international destinations through its Great Miles Giveaway program. A one-way economy class award ticket to Cebu would now only be 2,000 reward miles away. You only need 7,500 reward miles for a roundtrip vacation in Hong Kong.

Travel should commence not earlier than November 6, 2007 and should be completed by December 10, 2007.

Thanks for this promo I will be going to Puerto Princesa, Palawan for only 5,000 reward miles for a Business Class award ticket. I paid 2,324 pesos only for the fuel surcharge and government tax of my roundtrip airfare.

For more information and miles redemption call the 24-hour PAL Reservation Hotline at 855-8888 or 855-7888 (for Mabuhay Class).

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 9)

Iloilo Here I Come...

Miagao Church

I'm off to Iloilo tomorrow noon for the long Halloween weekend. For my non-Fiipino readers, Iloilo province is located in the center of the Philippine archipelago, more specifically in the Visayas region. I can't remember how many times I've been to Iloilo but I guess around 30x because it's the province of my dad. There's no year I can think of when I haven't had the chance to visit Iloilo.

For my long weekend trip I'll be going around Western Visayas, hoping to cover Roxas, Capiz for a seafood foodtrip and then to Guimaras for some photo opportunities of its white sand beaches. To go to Bacolod, Negros Occidental would be a bonus if time permits.

Happy Halloween to all!!!

photograph taken from the website of the Philippine Department of Tourism

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 8)

The Simpsons Soundtrack

I love The Simpsons so much so I want to share its soundtrack here in my blog for everybody to enjoy. I am a Simpsons fan since the early 1990's and I watched The Simpsons Movie for about 6x already both in the theater and DVD. Critics describes the show as dazzlingly intelligent and unapologetically vulgar. Even my passwords for email and here at my office workstation are also Simpsons related. My favorite character is Homer and I want to meet a real life Homer if ever that kind of man exists here on our planet :)

Even if the Simpsons is just an average middle income American family they travel extensively. One episode even boasts that they have been to 49 out of the 50 U.S. states. They also have been to all continents except in Antarctica (I have to confirm yet whether they already have been to the ice continent).

The TIME magazine even named The Simpsons as the 20th century's best television series in a 1998 issue. The magazine even included Bart Simpson in the same issue in the Time 100, the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people. Bart was the only fictional character on the list.

Enjoy the music...

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 7)

The Best and "Most Hilarious" Travel Video in the World... at least for me

I think this is the best travel video one can find in the Internet. If there's a better video than this please let know, thanks.

Enjoy the video!

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 6)

She's so Beautiful!!!... My Encounter With the Airbus A380

History was made last October 11 and 12 when the World's Largest Passenger Aircraft, the Airbus A380 MSN009, first landed on Philippine soil. On October 11, the aircraft touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at about 2:45 pm and remained there overnight to be serviced by airport personnel.

I went to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), also known as Clark Airport, to see up close the most sophisticated commercial airliner today. The aircraft was expected to touchdown at 11:40 am. Hundreds of airplane spotters, aviation enthusiasts and ordinary people lined-up the field of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) headquarters to wait for the arrival of the A380 which will be parked at Bay 9 in fornt of CIAC. At about 11:50 am people shouted that they can already see the aircraft coming. The atmosphere at that time is like watching an airshow as 6 Philippine Air Force fighter planes patrolled the skies and somewhat escorted the flying giant.

The A380 seemed that she will land but just passed the length of the runway with just a hundred feet vertical clearance and treated the eager crowd to acrobatic maneuvers with left and right banks at full throttle. The wait under the heat of the midday sun proved to be worthwhile as spectators were amazed how a "giant" white metal glides through the air. The A380 made a right turn and came back to line up with the runway of DMIA. The two parallel runways at Clark (3,200 meters) is shorter than the main runway of NAIA (3,737 meters) or any other international airport runways in the region but it proved that the aircraft is suitable for Clark as it only used less than 3/4 of the entire length of the runway. Airbus Industrie claims that the A380 is suitable in any runway that currently services the Boeing 747 aircraft.

The A380 has a moniker of "gentle green giant" as it is quieter, economical for operators and more environment-friendly than its main rival the Boeing 747.

The purpose of the visit of the A380 is to conduct tests on airfield maneuvering, docking, ground handling services and fueling to determine its compatibility with various airports around the world.

I don't know when will the A380 will land again here in the Philippines. As of this day no Philippines-based carrier placed an order for the A380 and if ever other legacy carriers will use it in their Manila route our airports still needs some upgrading to accommodate the A380. The launch customer of the giant aircraft is Singapore Airlines which is due for delivery on October 22, 2007.

3 Best(s) in Palawan... and a "negative" score for Boracay

View of Honda Bay in Palawan

Boracay

The beaches of the Philippines are truly pieces of several paradise on earth! There's even a silent rule for travel writers when describing the Philippines... I noticed that it is almost compulsory to indicated that our country has "7,107 islands." No travel write-up is complete when you don't mention it.

Palawan deserves a pat on the back for a job well done. The paradise province earned 3 entries in The Great Asian Beach Finder article of the October 2007 issue of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Palawan was mentioned in the categories of one of the best beaches in Asia, one of the best beach hotels (Amanpulo) and one of the best beaches for sports (Diving at Bacuit Bay).

But on the negative note, Boracay as the country's most popular beach had a negative review. The author noted that Boracay "once routinely ranked among the world's best beaches, I saw more trash than seashells." She is partly correct, being a frequent visitor of Boracay since 1996, I saw in my last 7 trips to Boracay how the island became a victim and succumbed because of too much commercialization. My most beautiful memory of Boracay was in 1996 when the island still has that secluded charm.

My Wordless Monday Picture Blog (Week 5)

Calling All Filipino Plane Spotters Out There... This Is Your Chance

The country’s premiere international airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and low-cost carrier hub Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Pampanga are both preparing their facilities for the 3-day visit of the Airbus A380 MSN009 test aircraft. The world’s largest passenger aircraft is expected to touchdown on Philippine soil for the first time before 3:00 pm on October 11 at NAIA and will depart the following morning for DMIA.

The aircraft started its 3-week journey across the Americas, the Middle East and Asia Pacific last week. The test aims to demonstrate that it can be used under normal airline operating conditions and accumulate 150 hours of “typical airline” continuous operation using the new engine. The A380 which will land in Manila will be coming from Melbourne, Australia. After its DMIA stop it will proceed to Dubai and eventually to its home in Toulouse, France.

As of the moment no airport in the country is capable to handle the giant aircraft. Nevertheless, the A380 can support the weight and width of the aircraft. Its launch customer is Singapore Airlines which is intended for the “kangaroo” Australia-Singapore-London route. Given the financial condition of Philippine Airlines and market demand for long haul routes in the country, its is still unconceivable for the A380 to make Manila one of its home. But if given a chance in the future, the fuel efficient airliner will be a perfect touch to the Manila-mainland U.S. or Manila-Europe routes.

According to the official Airbus website, the test aircraft is being powered by Engine Alliance GP7000 engines manufactured by General Electric and Pratt and Whitney. The A380 boasts of a greener, cleaner and quieter alternative than its main competitor, the Boeing 747 jumbo jet.

This is a perfect opportunity for aircraft spotters here in the country to take pictures of the most technologically advanced aircraft today. I can’t wait to brush shoulders with all of you this Friday in Clark, Pampanga.

photograph source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8313254@N08/496320750/