Philippines

Philippines Day 1 : 5 December 2007

2007-12-11T19:03:00.001-08:00

~lalalalala~~ Yes, I am Out Of Office heading to Philippines!!! Well, pls don't misunderstood that I am going there to visit the newly opened Xcellink branch at Philippines. Stop talking bout work, in fact I'm going there for my wonderful vacation. Stress free vacation!!

Thanks to Pastor Victor for being our ever faithful tour guide. He was like a shepherd that cares so much for his flocks, carried a staff wherever he goes and make sure that no one bullies his flocks. Really thanks to you as we all knew that you were actually very very tired preparing for TRAILBLAZERS and CORNERSTONE leadership impartations. Well, those who wait unto the Lord shall renew their strength!!

We arrived at LCCT around 5.30 am and after checked in our luggages and settled with our passport stuffs, we had our early breakfast at McD before we entered Air Asia that slashed us with the RM8 nasi lemak or watsoever.

The food storage cabin..

After 4 hours of flight, finally we entered the skies of Philippines. First time landed at Philippines which consists of 95% own brothers and sisters indeed was an exciting moment.

Justin posing at Macapagal International Airport at Clarke Field. This is their low cost terminal in Philippines. It's just like our LCCT..

Surprisingly, instead of our bags going round the rail, a baby's pampers would like to have fun in this rail too.. lolz, don't ever let this pampers to touch your bag!!!

After collecting our luggages, we met up with Pastor Victor at the exit point of the terminal. Our next destination was to Baguio, the homeland of Pastor Victor. :) He was like a typical Malaysian that will understand the stomach of Malaysians! He bought the famous Philippines delicacies "BibingKinikan". It was really delicious and tasted like flour with salted egg. Really delicious and eat it when it is still hot!

Lunch Time!!! We were all hungry as the Bibingkinikan was just an "alas perut". We had our lunch at one of the stalls on the way to Baguio. Their curry was special, not like our usual spices and the food there was kinda salty.

The traffic in Philippines...

On the way to Baguio, there is a mountain called "Women's breast mountain". Why is it called so ??? Look at the picture and you will know the answer.. guess I don't have to explain much. Wahahaha...

Finally!!! We reached Baguio around 7pm and the sky was already dark as if it was like 9-10pm. In Baguio, the sunrise is as early as 5.30am and the sunset is as early as 5.30pm. Therefore, if you would like to experience the sunrise at Baguio, wake up at 5.30am! Ehehehe...

In Baguio, one of Pastor Victor's church members, Kuya Robert picked us up from the bus station to APTS (Asia Pacific Theological Seminar). We had our wonderful Yellow Cab pizza at Pastor Yee Tham Wan's house. He ordered three large pizzas and I only managed to eat two slices only..too bad, I don't have cow's stomach. Wahaha...

Julia with her big bites...

Low energy level of the two brothers..sleeping soundly with MIMIs :)

Philippines Day 2 : 6 December 2007

2007-12-11T19:02:00.001-08:00

Day 2, 6 December 2007.
We woke up at 5.30am just to see the sunrise, unfortunately, the gloomy weather covered the sun and thus, no sunrise for us. We started to prepare ourselves for breakfast around 7am. After breakfast, we had a fantastic hill climbing to wait for our van.

This is not the van that brought us around yea, don't misunderstood. This is the Philippines most famous transportation.

The hill behind us...

Everyone of us with Pastor Victor on the last right..

Stop for a break after climbing half of the hill. It was indeed a good exercise that gave us firm butts.

Finally, we reached the gate of APTS... fuh. Tired due to lack of exercise!

The very first place that we visited was Pastor Victor's hometown church in Baguio. It is known as Baguio Assembly City Church and this church has a good romantic view. This place is also known as lover's city.

The town's view from the window of the church...

He seemed to be so emotional till he sat at the rooftop playing his guitar. Emo day...Uncle visit I guess.. haih.

Emotional turned 360 degrees .... what a drastic change!

Around the cities, there are lots of Bible colleges and also churches. Really a nice city to visit..

After dropping Pastor Victor at his church, we headed to Strawberry Farm (La Trinidad). Wow, it has been such a long time when I last visited a Strawberry Farm. I love strawberries.. yummy yummy!!!

Aunty Helen busy busying the reddy delicious strawberries...

I'm not sure what delicacies is this, but I tried some and it was good! Don't simply think and interpret that it looks like worm, but it was a good food you know. Too bad, I'm not sure what is this called....

And this is the Strawberry tao fu fah.. taste different and really creative for the Philippines to invent such a food. Hahaha...

Nothing much to visit in a strawberry farm, except to get for fresh strawberries.
Look at the complicated wires around the city...

Philippines prepaid card is known as "SMART BUDDY". It cost about PHP65 for this card which is equivalent to our RM4 something. Cheap rite, compared to Maxis or Digi. Haha..

12pm and we were all looking forward for the next dishes. So far, I really enjoyed Philippines food as it met my taste bud. I love the sourish PK soooo much!!! When come to think bout it, my salivary glands automatically generates sourish saliva. Wahahaha... We stopped at Fiesta for head hunter pictures and also lunch..

Yuck...Please don't korek your nose in front of me larhhh...

Oh no!!! Someone seemed to peee in front of me! Apalah....

Hey, how's my new handphone looks like???

Spot the living woman!!!

Lalalalala...

After lots of funny picture shots, we were all seating patiently waiting for our food.. =>
Sorry again that I couldn't remember the name of all the dishes, but what I can express is that the food are all yummylicious!!! Seriously, I love Philippines food more than Malaysia's.

This is Halo Halo (ice kacang) made from UBE (yam).. our favorite dessert in Philippines. Looking forward for Halo Halo again!!!!

Next trip after lunch -> a Catholic Church

Yes!! Boat riding at Burnham Park.. at first I thought I could ride the boat by myself, but after being overconfidence, I decided to give up. Afraid that the boat will turn upside down. Hahaha...

Have you ever seen such a bicycle in Malaysia???

Naughty kids...they just love to disturb foreigners~

Aaarrghhhh!!!! You all are too heavy!!!! The boat can't move....

Shopping and Shopping and Shopping for the shopaholics!!! SM is so famous in Philippines, it's like our Jaya Jusco or Carefour I guess.. You can just see SM in every towns...

Yeerrr... katak on your head!!!

Me and Pastor Victor at SM's foodcourt..

Doing something good in Philippines...

SM's outdoor park.. a nice place to paktor.. hehehehe.

Everyone was busy admiring the little photographer capturing a shot.. :)

Time passed and without realizing, it was already 7pm. Our dinner will be at Korean Palace for Korean food which was introduced by Pastor Yee Tham Wan.

After dinner, balik APTS and then ZZzzzz....

Philippines Day 3 : 7 December 2007

2007-12-11T19:01:00.001-08:00

Good morning!!! It's the 3rd day at Philippines!! The beautiful scenery from the Hill of APTS.

This was the place where we had our breakfast. HOUSE OF WAFFLES!! Wow, I love the blueberry creamy waffle. Delicious!!!!

Blueberry Waffle with cream...

Smiling wide because it was so delicious.... :)

Strawberry Waffle with cream...

Banana Chocolate waffle...

Fruit waffle with strawberry ice cream and peach...

Fried garlic rice with egg and sausages.. tell you what, Philippines have the best sausages on earth!!!!!

Sorry, I'm not sure what is this..haha.

Cheezy spaghetti...

Lolz, I cannot remember what is this place...cham lor. Nvm, photos is more than enough..ehhehehe.

Instead of labelled as Ladies or Gents, it was named as Clean Comfort Room..hahaha.

We were now at Good Shepherd, a place filled with all sorts of jam. They offers the best jam in town and too bad, the peanut butter jam is out of stock.. anyway, strawberry jam is more than enough. I love strawberries.. hahahaha.

It was lunch time again.. kah kah kah. Lunch time is always a happy time.. ehehehe. We had our lunch at Little John's at Camp John Hay and look at our mouth watering food again!!!

My drawing while waiting for the food to be served.. hehe. No names for the food as I have forgotten all the special names.. :)

Later on, we headed to THE MANSION! The majestic and palatial Mansion House was built in 1908 as the official summer residence for the US Governors-Generals. It was badly damaged during the Second World War and was rebuilt in 1947. Since then, it has served as the holiday home and working office for each President of the Philippines during his or her visits to Baguio. Over the road from the Mansion House is Wright Park, a place where children are often seen riding the ponies that are available for hire there. Dotted all around the nearby hills are the holiday villas of the wealthy.

After The Mansion, we were supposed to treat ourselves a horse riding experience. Too bad, the heavy rain brought us back to SM again.. so, it's time for shopping again!!!! Grab your wallets everyone!!!!

We reached home about 10pm after all our shoppings. Julia got for herself a huge bear bear, her dreams come true as she has been longing for a huge bear (as huge as her size)..haha.

Philippines Day 4 : 8 December 2007

2007-12-11T18:59:00.000-08:00

Day 4, 8 December 2007.

We had our breakfast at Chowking, this is their so called fast food in Philippines. However, this fastfood shop offers Chinese cuisines. :)

It's time to climb the 1000 steps, according to Pastor Victor. But, the actual steps are only 200+.. haha.

This place is the Holy Ground of the Catholics. Can be known as their prayer ground.

After that, the pics below shall be our next destination...

The place where we got our faces drawn...

My artist, drawing my face...

Eyes, eyelashes and nose has been completed...

Finally.. :( I look so fat in the picture..

We left the town early as we will have to start packing for Manila tonight, 11pm. Besides, there will be a Trailblazer Conference at APTS as well. Therefore, night time is reserved for conference!!

This is the nice view along the way after APTS. Beware, this hill is not gated, therefore, mind your steps!!!

Arrh... holding the sun on top of my head!!!

7pm, it was time for Trailblazer Conference.. We had an awesome night with all leaders and youths who were really hungry and thirst for more of God's power and anointing!

Philippines Day 5 : 9 December 2007

2007-12-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

Day 5, 9 December 2007.
We arrived at Manila about 5am and then we were picked up by another church members from Cornerstone church to have a night stay at Pastor's Fred house.

We woke up at 9am and started to prepare ourselves to church. Surprisingly, the church was located in a Shopping Mall. Wow, it was real awesome! Shopping after church service??? hehehe...

Cornerstone church pioneered by Pastor Fred and currently there are 5 services.. Great!!!!
And the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of God!!!

After church service, we had our lunch at Andok's Dine-In. The BBQ PK was seriously delicious here. Not only that, the satay PK was real juicy.. yummy yummy!!!

After lunch, it will be our shopping moments again!!
Along the way to Mall of Asia, the third largest mall in the world....

The pasar petang on the overhead bridge..

People living under the highway...

Another pasar petang along the main road...

Finally, we reached Manila Bay, and Mall of Asia is just located few KMs from here...

Wow, can you ever find this in Malaysia???

This was their famous UBE(yam) cake.. crispy and tasty!! Justin loves this so much.. ehhe.

Starbucks in the bottle?? Don't hope to see this in Malaysia too...

Pepsi in Caramel and Strawberry flavor?? Special...

Coke - Bonding sa Buhay.. christmas coke!!!

Hahahaha.. syok sendiri photos in the testing room. After several testings, I finally owned this jacket.. Thanks to Aunty Helen.. hehehe. It's more expensive than Julia's bear bear... :)

The Christmas tree was made of thousands of bears... wow.

Jollibee is one of their fastfood too.. but, look at the crowd. Faint~~~

Chocomint Crepe and mint.. my delicious chocomint ice cream.. wahaha.

After shopping till 8pm, we were invited to a Seafood restaurant near Manila Bay by one of the Cornerstone's church members. Seafood again.. hehe.. I love seafood!!!

This shall be our last day on tour at Philippines.. will be flying back to lovely Malaysia the next morning.. I will definitely miss Philippines PK...

Philippines Day 6 : 10 December 2007

2007-12-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

~SOB SOB~
Finally it's time to leave Philippines and back to my lovely home. 6 days in Philippines indeed was a great adventure. I started to miss the BBQ "pk" when I packed up my things and waving goodbye to Pastor Fred. Lolz, I will definitely miss the food and the cooling breeze at Baguio APTS.

Leaving the clouds of Philippines...

We arrived at Kuala Lumpur 20 mins ahead of scheduled. The pilot sped in the air???
Anyway, it's always a good feeling to be at home... :)

Tata Philippines!!!