"Good Friday" Birthday in Macau

I turned another year older last April 2. It so happened that it was a Good Friday. During my younger years, Good Friday would have spelled gloom and boredom. It meant no meat, no laughing, no bathing (no kidding!) and no fun. Good thing I am way past that tradition! So, my family and I decided to enjoy the holy week instead outside of my country. Our choice: Hong Kong and Macau for a five days/four nights shopping extravaganza!

Actually, it wasn't the best time to be in Hong Kong that time. Smog covered the entire peninsula. You could hardly see the harbour and its famous skyscrapers. But what could we do??? We just decided to make the most of our trip.

Our first stop upon arrival was Victoria Peak. My family have been to Hong Kong in the past. But my sons have never been to the Peak. And they say, you've not seen Hong Kong unless you see the Peak. Despite the smog, we got to appreciate the skyscrapers Hong Kong is famous for.

My sons Matthew, Timothy and Andrew

That was much about sightseeing we did in Hong Kong. After the Peak experience, we just roamed around Tsim Tsai Tsui, Causeway Bay and Central during our entire stay. We enjoyed the food and the shopping. But, boy, did our feet hurt at the end of each day!!!

Timothy and Andrew's favorite shop, H & M

On the third day of our trip, which was my birthday, we decided to take a day tour to Macau. I was 15 years old the first time I went there. The facade of St. Paul's Church is the only thing I remember. Of course, Macau is more known for its magnificent casinos, now rivaling even the grander casinos of Las Vegas. We toured around the popular tourist destinations which weren't that interesting. I guess the highlight of the day's trip was a tour of the Venetian Hotel. It is true that it is even bigger than its sister in Las Vegas. Its owners really spent a fortune building this magnificent structure. Caloy and my eldest son Matt tried the slot machines while my two younger sons and I decided to take a stroll around the picturesque surroundings.

In front of St Paul's Cathedral facade

Inside the Venetian Hotel

Tourist flocking Macau

We left Hong Kong for Manila last April 4 on a Hong Kong Express plane. It was a fruitful and enjoyable experience. The food we ate was superb; the shopping was fun; the walks were purposeful. But most of all, we were able to bond as a family. I am looking forward once again to more bonding time outside of the country with my boys - Matt, Drew and Tim.

Yes, Timothy! Love is spelled F - A- M- I- L- Y!

Diving Bliss

Last May 7 - 9, 2010, my family and I were invited to join our church group for bonding time in Anilao, Batangas. It was organized by my bff, Kay Hernandez and her hubby, Mike. Every time we went to Anilao, we would book in Dive and Trek resort which had one of the best snorkeling and diving spots. Armed with our sunblocks, hats, sunglasses (and bikini!), we braved the sun for this summer treat.

My husband Caloy and I took this opportunity to practice our diving skills. We took PADI lessons the summer of 2009. However, our check out (diving graduation) got delayed for a year due to the early onset of the rainy season. We still have to do our check out by the end of this month. Hopefully, we could get our PADI license by then.

Ready with our own wetsuit, booties, snorkelers, we rented the BCD and oxygen tank for a morning dive. Mike joined us, he being a licensed PADI diver since college. Since Caloy and I were still unlicensed, we hired a Dive Master to orient us again with the mechanics of diving.

I was a bit apprehensive, having last dove in a pool session almost a year ago. I had to refresh my memory real fast regarding equalization, buoyancy, hand signals, and other emergency skills. Actually, it was the equalization of air in the open spaces of the body (like ears and sinuses) that got me worried. The pain in the ears and sinuses could be excruciating if not properly equalized.

We dove for an hour. At first, I was struggling with my buoyancy. I had to relearn how to go low by using my breath; and how to rise up using my BCD. Eventually, I got the hang of it. I was just floating amongst the corals and fishes, feeling like one of them. I was swimming with the parrot fish, angelfish, clownfish, and other colorful creatures in the water. It was fascinating to see how some of these fish would swim in synchronicity. I felt very present, very in the "now." It was almost like a meditation... being surrounded by God's other creation. It felt like time stood still.

Caloy (left), Mike (right), and I (center).

When we were about 40 feet deep, we were rewarded with the sight of a huge turtle feeding on some algae stuck among the rocks. It took my breath away, really!!! I was totally excited that I kept breathing fast. I had to remember to just take deep yet slow breaths. It was an awesome sight! Caloy and Mike were lucky to see a moray eel. My eyes were probably busy elsewhere that I missed it.

I didn't want to miss this photo opportunity!

I had such a pleasurable dive. I am so looking forward to doing my check-out this May 29. Once I have my PADI's license, that's one off my bucket list.

Our dive buddy, Mike Hernandez

Caloy surrounded by marine life

Awesome!!!! Can't wait for my next dive....

Anilao Sunset

An Anilao sunset is like a giant canvass in the sky,
Its painter's hand swirling magic up high.

One cannot help but be amazed,
to feel our Creator's tender embrace.

A divine feeling sets in one's soul,
knowing that a loving hand is in control.

Note: Photos and poem by Marshmarlo
Taken in Anilao, Batangas
May 07, 2010

Sunset and Silhouettes

The colors of a beautiful sunset starts to show,

As the sky lights up with it's fiery glow,

Two lovers walk on the beach hand in hand,

A sunset sparks the hearts of this woman and man.

The sunset's glow lights the beauty in her face,

As she looks into the sky watching God's colorful grace.

With her embraced in his arms, watching the sun sink in the sky,

He feels her love grow, as he looks into her lovely eyes,

He tells her he loves her, as their lips meet in a kiss,

As they stand on the beach feeling the waves crashing into a mist.
The beauty of a sunset is one of God's greatest gift
to witness its glory makes man's heart lift.

Note:

Pictures taken in Anilao, Batangas,
May 07, 2010

Models:

Marlo Roxas
Matt Roxas
Drew Roxas
Carlos Roxas
Kay Hernandez
Celine Hernandez
Josiah Marasigan

My "Bali Ha'i" Wedding Anniversary

"Happy...happy, happy talkin' talk.... Talk about the things you like to do... You've got to have a dream... If you don't have a dream... how you gonna have a dream come true!"

This Rodgers and Hammerstein song from the 1958 movie "South Pacific" played in my head over and over again while waiting for our flight to Bali.

My husband and I were about to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in this island paradise. It has always been my desire to travel to this exotic destination ever since I watched the movie as a young girl. It has left an indelible impression in my mind especially when Bloody Mary sang the song "Bali Hai." I fell in love with the location so I promised myself to visit that place some day. All along I thought it was set in the Indonesian island of Bali (it was actually shot in Ibiza).

So, with my three sons in tow, together with my parents, in-laws and a handful of other significant others, we flew to Bali from Jakarta in December of 2007, for a four day fun-filled adventure in the tropical island of my childhood dreams.

Celebrating our 20th year of wedded bliss!

The young ones in the family

The young "once" giving a toast to Caloy and I.

In our entourage were:

My three sons: Matt, Drew and Tim
My parents: Lito and Trellie Avila
Marigomen Family: Jojo, Bebot, Kristine, Mark and Kaye
Sister-in-law: Susan Evers
My nephew: Patrick
Yaya Violy

Channeling Lara Croft: Angkor Temples

It was surreal. I could imagine Lara Croft, in her tight shorts and long pony tail, combing her way through the thick jungle; and stumbling accidentally upon a sprawling ancient temple. Without hesitation, she enters its crumbling walls, careful not to disturb the deafening silence inside. She was transfixed by what appeared before her eyes - massive roots of giant trees seeping their way through every crevices and tower.

Of course, that was a scene from the movie "Tomb Raiders" starring Angelina Jolie. Ever since I watched that film, I had been fascinated with the millennium-old ruins of the Khmer Empire. These ruins were collectively known as the Angkor Archeological Park which had been designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It is located in Siem Reap, a provincial city of the Kingdom of Cambodia.


Imagine how excited I felt when I boarded our Singapore Airline plane to Siem Reap last February 28, 2010, together with my favorite travel companions - my parents. Cameras and fresh perspective in tow, we were ready to embark in a journey that would transport us back to the ancient history of Khmers.

THE TOUR

Our home during the four nights and five days in Siem Reap was the Tara Angkor Hotel. It's a four star hotel located between the city proper and Angkor Wat. The pace of our tour was relatively easy and relaxing. That was part of my consideration in choosing this tour since I was with senior citizens.

The Tara Angkor Hotel

This would be our routine everyday: After our buffet breakfast, our tour guide Sam, would pick us up around 8:30 am. We would do the rounds of temple visits in the morning; have lunch at a decent restaurant; proceed back to the hotel for an afternoon nap; be picked up again by 2 or 3pm; do another round of temple tours; have sumptuous dinner in a well-appointed restaurant; then be returned back to the hotel by 8pm.

THE TEMPLES

There are dozens of ruins inside the humongous world heritage park. The more popular and interesting were the Angkor Wat, the Bayon, and Ta Phrom. Its artistry and archeological significance makes it at par with ancient structures like the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt and Macchu Pichu in Peru.

Easily my favorite is Ta Phrom, the temple where Tomb Raiders was shot. I was mesmerized by this sprawling monastic complex that was partially covered by jungle overgrowth. Massive fig and silk-cotton trees found their way through every tower and corridor, offering a jungle atmosphere. Their large and heavy roots covered parts of the temple like giant hands firmly making its grip. I read that this Buddhist monastery was built during the mid-12th and early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII, the beloved ruler of the Khmer empire. He dedicated this complex to his mother (awwww!).

This site was featured in Tomb Raiders

An "apsara" peeping through roots that covered a building

Another favorite of mine is The Bayon. It's a must see for anyone visiting Angkor. The giant stone faces of Bayon has become the most recognizable images connected to Khmer art. There are 37 standing towers sporting carved faces. Some of these towers have four faces carved into it. As to who this face represent is still a mystery. Others say it is Buddha; some say its Jayavarman VII. Everywhere you go in the Bayon, the carved faces seem to be following you. Actually, I didn't have a creepy feeling. Its pious stare and smiling face was almost welcoming. It was fascinating to think how ancient Khmers, with their crude instruments, could carve such magnificent art in solid stone.

One of the many faces inside the Bayon

My mom with a bas relief of an apsara dancer in the background

The most well-known monument in the Angkor Archeological Park is Angkor Wat. It is the most massive and architecturally impressive structure built by the Khmers. Story goes that Hindus from ancient India came to Cambodia following the trade wind. They would stay in the Kingdom for six months while waiting for the trade wind to blow them back to India. In Cambodia, they brought with them their religion and culture. They influenced the ancient Khmers who, without resistance, embraced the foreign religion. The Khmers, with the help of the Hindus, built beautiful temples as places of worship. The most visually and artistically breathtaking is Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the centerpiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. This massive temple is dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

The famous Angkor Wat

My dad resting inside the temple

A GRIM HISTORY

I really felt blessed to have visited this beautiful and historically significant world heritage site. The Khmers, as Cambodians want to be called, have a rich history of religion and culture, as well as a history they would want to forever erase in their memory.

Sam, our tour guide, confided to us the atrocities inflicted by the Khmer Rouge. I listened to him intently as he narrated the horrific episode experienced by his parents and countless Khmers who suffered immensely under the leadership of Pol Pot. Who would not shiver with disgust at the word "killing fields?" I saw for myself one of the killing field sites in Siem Reap. They have now gathered all the bones and skulls of the victims and placed it in a memorial site beside a Pagoda as a reminder of the dark and unforgotten past of a grieving nation.

Despite the recent grim history of this kingdom-nation, the Khmers can stand proud, remembering that in bygone past, they had a magnificent civilization that was unrivaled during that time.