#GPinCanada: Alouette Lake

On the first Sunday of our vacation, we went to Alouette Lake at Golden Ears Provincial Park where Kuya Boy, Ate Mel, and their group of friends from their church had scheduled a get-together there. Since there were 8 of us and we couldn’t all fit in one car without breaking the law, Hubby drove my brother’s new SUV (making use of his international driving licence for the first time) while Kuya drove their sedan.

As we headed towards the Lake, we went through the Golden Ears bridge

#GPinCanada: The Neighborhood

Despite going to bed quite late the night before, since our bodies were still following UAE time, our family woke up early the next morning at around 6:30am. Actually, our jetlag lasted for almost a week so we were always the first ones awake in the house.

Our routine was simple: we would get up, do whatever we needed to do in the bathroom, then walk around the backyard and neighbourhood. And since almost everyone was still asleep, we were able to enjoy our daily walks in peace and quiet. The area had a common playground for kids so you can imagine our girls enjoyed going there each day where they had it all to themselves. Here are a few pictures of some of those precious mornings:

Germany Getaway: Walking the Dog, an Italian Meal, the Baldeneysee, and Skip-Bo

On Monday, being the first day of the work week, Mom and Dad went to their clinic. Michaela arrived to have breakfast with us, and then we later went to a nearby forest, passing by her place to pick-up her and Sebastian’s baby. Here’s Hubby and me with the apple of their eyes:

Summer is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and she’s pretty big (it's just not that obvious in the picture because she’s sitting down). I was scared when I first saw her at the Polterabend because she was so hyper and excited, but she’s very friendly and playful, and follows instructions easily. It was our first time to walk a dog (parang nakakahiya aminin ‘no?!), but since Summer has been domesticated since she was a puppy, we enjoyed it.

Actually, we walked while she ran. Tuwang-tuwa, parang batang nakawala. When she realized she was too far ahead of us, she would either run back to us or stop and wait where she was, giving us a look that seemed to say “Come on! What’s taking you so long?!”

 

Occasionally, we crossed paths with other people walking their dogs, and we could see Summer wanted to play with them. Sometimes Michaela let her play for a few minutes and we would watch the dogs bark and jump and chase each other; but if the other dog was very small and/or the dog’s leash was tied around the owner’s body, Michaela would hold Summer’s collar, making her stay put or make her walk beside us as we passed by the other.

The walk gave us another view of nature’s splendor. Like the fields we saw yesterday, the forest was also beautiful, with all the trees surrounding the paths, butterflies and birds flying around, the cool breeze, and the clean air. Here’s a picture I took using my mobile phone:

Take note, that shot is not filtered or edited in any way. Ang ganda di ba? Pwede pang-wallpaper =)

After the walk, we went back to M&S’s place where we fed Summer (she was really hungry from all that running around) and rested a bit. After a while, we walked home (leaving Summer and the television on so that she wouldn’t feel alone) to wait for Mom and Dad.

They took us to their favorite Italian restaurant for lunch which had been closed for several years, but had opened again recently.  Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the restaurant (Trulli's or Trulli? I'm not sure), nor were we able to get a picture of how it looks outside.

 

The menu was in German but Michaela and Dad translated the items to us. Hubby ordered carbonara pasta, Dad had a calzone, and Mom, Michaela and I had a different pizza each. While waiting for our food, the server gave us some bread and herbed butter. We were given 3 baskets of bread, and because they were so warm and yummy, Dad asked for another basket and serving of butter. Ganon kasarap! A few minutes later, our food was served…and Hubby and I were shocked at how big the servings were! An order was good for 2 or 3 people pala…well, for appetites like mine and Hubby’s that is. Good thing my Hawaiian pizza was really tasty, so I managed to eat everything on my plate. Unfortunately, Hubby probably ate too many rolls of bread so he wasn’t able to finish his pasta. When he asked if we could just take the leftovers home, hindi pala pwede. It’s not allowed daw in any restaurant. Sayang, masarap pa naman.

After lunch, Dad went back to the clinic, and Mom, Michaela, Hubby and I headed to the Baldeneysee (Baldeney Lake). Upon arriving, we saw so many ducks and ducklings. Like the day before when I saw the cows and rabbits, natuwa ako. Michaela even asked me if it was my first time to see a duck. Nakakahiya! I think this is the effect of living in Dubai for so long; when you see live animals freely wandering around in their natural habitat, you become amazed and delighted like a kid. Hehehe.

a duck and her ducklings

At the Lake you can ride a cruise ship, sail a boat, and go swimming.

There’s a pavement at the lakeside where people freely walk, jog, run, go skating, rollerblading or ride their bikes. Or just sit and magmuni-muni while enjoying the cool weather.

We walked for a while until we came across a restaurant where we rested and had some drinks.

waiting for our refreshments

There was another duck floating nearby, and because it looked so calm and peaceful, I couldn’t help taking a picture of it.

That night after a light dinner (we were still full from what we had eaten for lunch), Dad asked us if we wanted to play a particular card game. Although we’ve never heard of it before, we agreed to play Skip-Bo immediately because it sounded like fun. At first, it was Mom and me vs. Dad and Hubby so that they could teach us how to play.

When we got the hang of it, it was the four of us against each other. It was surprisingly fun, keeping us busy and entertained until 10pm. It’s actually an interesting game, teaching you to think and strategize, and observe very closely. And because we were too focused on the cards, we only noticed later that Hubby was getting rid of his cards quite quickly and pretty often, prompting Mom and me to jokingly complain that Dad was helping him out. He may or may have, but he and Hubby just laughed it off.  No worries, though. It was just a game, and the important thing was we all had fun…and use our brains as well.

 

Germany Getaway: Beer and Walking by the Rhine River

Three things that Deutschland is famous for are bread, sausages, and beer. Remember I mentioned that we had an early dinner on the day that we arrived? I forgot to mention that Dad offered Hubby a bottle of Paulaner beer, which of course he accepted without hesitating. But for this particular beer, there’s a way to enjoy it, and here’s how it’s done:

1)  After removing the cap, pour the contents of the bottle down the side of a tall glass while holding the glass at an angle until there’s only a small amount left.

2)  With the remaining beer in the bottle, roll the bottle between the palms of your hands.

 3)  Pour the rest of the contents into the glass, bring the glass to your lips, and enjoy the beer!

Hubby had another beer for lunch the next day, and another one for dinner, another for lunch the following day, that night, and, well, you get the picture. He had at least one bottle of beer every lunch and dinner during our entire stay! Not to the point of getting drunk, of course. He was just doing what the Germans usually do =) And it wasn’t always the same kind; they had a stock room of all kinds of alcoholic beverages so they always offered us something new to try at each meal.

Nakakabilib ang mga Germans because even though they drink beer every meal time (except breakfast), they are still responsible drinkers.  They don't drink and drive.  Galing!

Anyway, on Sunday afternoon after lunch, the 4 of us (Mom, Dad, Hubby and I) headed towards the Rhine River. Dad parked the car near a church, then we walked for about an hour and ended up at a hotel where we rested a bit at its restaurant, had some drinks, and enjoyed the view.   

 

 

the view of the Rhine River and a boat from our table

After some time, we walked back the same path to the car for another hour.

You might think the walk was pretty boring, but it really wasn’t. Having gotten used to Dubai and the countless buildings and construction going on everywhere, the scenery that welcomed us was such a beautiful change. Everywhere we looked, there was lavish greenery. I saw a lot of dandelion seed heads and couldn’t help picking a few to blow. Parang bata lang =)

Occasionally, we would see rabbits hopping along the fields; and passing by some farms, we saw goats and horses, and even some cows grazing nearby. It was so peaceful!

We even got to see a farmer drive his machine on the land, gather dried grass, and pack them into bales of hay within minutes. Naturally it was Hubby’s and my first time to see it and we were so amazed! Ang galing talaga!

As we walked, there were several other people either walking, jogging or riding their bicycles. If they were coming from behind us and we were in their way, they would just ring their bicycle bell once and we would walk out of their way. And even though we didn’t know any of them, I noticed most of them would look at us and say “Hallo!” as we crossed paths or when they passed us by. Sobrang nakakatuwa ang pagiging friendly nila!

So you see, aside from being good exercise and allowing us to breathe in clean, natural air, the walk gave us an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate nature’s beauty in all it's German glory.

victims of typhoon yolanda need your help

Who hasn’t heard about the devastation that one of the most powerful storms ever recorded brought to the Philippines over the weekend? It’s practically all over the news.

image from mb.com.ph

image from inquirer.net

image from ibtimes.com

These are just a few of the pictures, but you can see and imagine how much damage Typhoon Yolanda brought, and the lives it took and affected.  And as of the time that I'm writing this post, it has been declared in the news that the death toll may reach 10,000!  So much loss in just a couple of days!

From all around the world, all sorts of help are pouring out for the Philippines. To name a few, the UAE, Saudi Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the US, Canada, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Player’s Association (NBPA) have donated and pledged support and assistance programs and projects for the victims of the super typhoon. Even Pope Francis has asked for everyone’s prayers through his Twitter account.

The victims need all the help they can get. So if you are one of the kind-hearted souls who would like to help but don’t know how, please click on this site and/or this site which have updated lists of official groups and centers which you can contact.

No matter how small or big your assistance is, it will definitely go a long way…and I’m sure my kababayans would be eternally grateful.

Maraming salamat po.

proud of the pinoy spirit

We all know Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda hit the Philippines early yesterday and is on its way out today. It was scary, I tell you. Ok, I might not have been at the Philippines when it lashed out at the country, but watching the videos on Youtube was enough to worry me and all my Filipino friends who have loved ones back home. Who wouldn’t get worried? It’s a super typhoon and one of the strongest ones ever recorded in modern history.

I immediately called Mama to ask where she was and how they were. Fortunately, she was at my brother’s house where they were all safe and away from the centre of the tropical cyclone’s direct strike. Whew!

Our country has been facing terrible disasters lately: the PDAF scam, the recent earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu, and now this. Haaaay! But in spite of all these negative things, I’m so proud of the Filipinos’ attitude: that we don’t dwell much on the problems, and just move on as much as we can.

Truly, nothing can beat the Filipino spirit!

quakes and shakes

Two strong earthquake tremors in a week. The first was last Wednesday, 10th of April while the second occurred this afternoon.  When I felt the tremor last Wednesday, I originally thought that I was just feeling dizzy. But after I saw the faces on my colleagues’, I knew it wasn’t me. Even though we could see that most of the tenants of our office building were going out, we stayed put. Thankfully, nothing serious happened to any of us.