HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

PITTER PATTER

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

We’ve seen this woman in her usual, uncomplaining way of life, toiling hard 24/7, passing so many sleepless nights, and girding for every day’s most challenging task. However, her role is often undervalued in the society. Her sacrifices often go unnoticed and unappreciated.

Hey, have you thought of any meaningful ways to make your mom and all the wonderful women in your life feel loved on their special day?

Happy Mother's Day!

PHU QUOC ISLAND ESCAPADE - DAY 3

When the sun was well up, we started to set out on our last stretch looking for souvenirs then prepared ourselves for a homeward bound.

What an opportune time to learn, relax and enjoy!

Our sojourn in Phu Quoc Island was truly unforgettable!

PHU QUOC ISLAND ESCAPADE - DAY 2

We started the day with an offshore fishing and a sightseeing tour around An Thoi sea! Everyone enjoyed the fishing trip on the azure sea with lush mountains in the distance.

The bright morning was followed by a sunny day of blue skies, warm yet breezy. Could any other day be so completely exciting?

After taking our breakfast, we wheeled around the area surveying the seemingly limitless expanse of nature whose beautiful beach scenery is now garishly sketched in my memory. Then we visited the Pearl farm/shop, Simson Wine shop and Phu Quoc’s Tranh Stream.

Last stop was Sao Beach where a cluster of resort hotels jutted along the shoreline. The sea was lisping seductively with its powdery white sand. Swimming time! The day was fast fading away into a soft twilight.

The darkness finally dropped its cloak when we headed back home…drinking session followed. It was indeed an irksome trip from sun-up to sundown. It had totally worn us out.

PHU QUOC ISLAND ESCAPADE - DAY 1

SENTRY BOXES

IN ORDER TO CONTROL PRISONERS STRICTLY, SENTRY BOXES WERE BUILT AT FOUR CORNERS OF PHU QUOC JAIL WHICH WERE WELL-EQUIPPED WITH ARMS AND LIGHTHOUSES. PRISONERS WERE WATCHED 24 HOURS BY AMERICAN-PUPPET SOLDIERS WHO WERE ALWAYS READY TO SHOOT AT ANY PLACE THAT SEEMED UNUSUAL.

COCONUT TREE PRISON

SOME OF THE 500 STOCKADES BUILT TO IMPRISON NEARLY 40,000 REVOLUTIONARY MILITANTS

THE CAGE WAS MADE BY THICKLY KNITTED BARBWIRE ON SURROUNDING SIDES AND ON TOP

THE ENEMIES APPLIED MORE THAN 45 TORTURES TO PRISONERS

THE ENEMIES APPLIED MORE THAN 45 TORTURES TO PRISONERS

COCONUT TREE PRISON

CAM BEACH

CAM BEACH

CAM BEACH

CAM BEACH

The great joy we experienced cannot be kept onto oneself. It has to be passed on. But I shall only confine myself to recalling worthwhile memories and retracing the breathtaking paths we trod.

Full of life and merriment, we began our journey at 3am from Can Tho to Ha Tien. On board 25-seater van, everybody could not help the thrill and excitement. A variety of thoughts lingered in our minds, imagining the spots we were about to visit.

The sun finally rose and chased away the lingering chill. It was around 11:00 a.m. when we reached Phu Quoc Island via hydrofoil boat. We were accorded warm hospitality and accommodation (from Ai’s family and relatives) and enjoyed delish Vietnamese dishes for lunch.

After a repast, we visited the Coconut Tree Prison which was recently transformed from an operating prison to a museum. There are many exhibits showing the savage torture of the prisoners, struggle in the prison and relics of the witnesses. Then off to Cam beach where everyone began to wallow in warm seawater and engage in a shower of lively conversation and laughter…plus the grilled seafood (…and body warmers?) hjhj

HAPPY, YIPEE, YEHEY ...TIME TO ESCAPE FROM EVERYDAY TEDIUM!

 

It’s gonna be another long weekend break and holiday in Vietnam!  

Vietnam’s Victory Day, Reunification Day, or Liberation Day is celebrated on April 30 and Labor Day on May 1 - five days off to break free from my routine. ^v^

…so excited to take one of those summer travel alternatives to make the most out of this short holiday…not necessarily venturing out to far places but to a nearby destination that provides a fun getaway in shorter doses and,  of course, within budget! …imagining a sun-drenched beach hjhjhj…we’ll see!

Clocking out will begin few hours from now! Sending you warm holiday hugs, kisses, giggles and cheers! Enjoy!

INTERNATIONAL EARTH DAY

One needs not to be a specialist to perceive what is happening around us. Our world is threatened by the lack of respect and care for nature. Unmistakably evident, Mother Earth has been ruthlessly exploited and the wanton abuse of its life-nourishing resources puts our home in peril.

Leading the list of growing environmental problems is Global Climate Change. It has created a major threat and is now beginning to cause damage on every part of the world - extreme weather events, changing rainfall patterns, unpredictable fierce storms, rising seas, drought, floods, decline in water supply, worsening food shortage, malnutrition caused by desiccated fields, spread of disease, and loss of coastal lands. Are these not the revenge of Mother Nature against mortals who arouses her wrath?

Mother Earth is not dying. It is killed by the increasing number of people making the Earth not fit to live in for the humanity and for many species of life. We are supposed to take dominion over all things on earth with wisdom and love. But as we reflect on the realities of the times, we have come to realize that our actions are already in contrary to the Creator’s plan.

We cannot continue to disregard the earth. We cannot afford to wait for the signs of an irreversible damage to manifest in our harshly wounded earth. This is our challenge not in the near future but now. Delaying of action could only wreck more havoc.

Everyone plays a crucial role in protecting the earth. We need to have a deepened sensitivity to the environment if we want this world to survive. But of course, this calls for a real conversion in ways of thoughts and deeds of each of us. We need to take a serious look at our lifestyles. Our behavior, attitudes and values must reflect our being stewards of creation.

Are our youth already set themselves to be our value-driven innovators for creation care?

MY LAPTOP HAS BEEN REBORN!

Hassles are gone! Lately, my laptop went nuts – media player was blank, black screen appeared, unable to close tabs, auto restart, super slow, system not responding…then I had to turn it off, let it cool off, restart, press refresh button many times but ended up just going in circle! It was all messing up!

I was clueless as to how to fix it! I’m not a tech-savvy but not a technotard for sure! Thank goodness, Dave (Nguyen Hoang Duy) came to my rescue and it was like a no-brainer to him repairing, reviving, reformatting and installing useful programs. I’m appreciative of your help in getting my old lappy off its last legs.

SUMMER 2013 IS HERE! BRING IT ON BABY!

It’s sUmMeRIiMe in Pinas! Yo! …so freakin’ hot at this time of the year but one of the relaxing seasons in my country!

We love summer probably because the sky is no longer overcast with heavy clouds making our day gloomy – NO STORM dude! ;D

Oh! How I miss those summer holidays in the Philippines! I couldn’t help but yearning over those good ol’ days taking me down memory lane.

For sure, all of us would gleefully narrate our fabulous summer experiences - those crazy fun stuff just to beat the scorching heat of the sun. Anyway, we’re not scared getting a sun tan – which looks nice adding a warm glow to the skin.

A typical summer vacation would include chilling out with family, relatives and friends, traditional games, childhood treats, kite flying, movie marathon, swimming, fiestas, summer camps, lip-smacking and refreshing frozen delights ( halo-halo, sorbetes, snowballs, ice candy, etc), and overnight inuman and tirahan sessions (^,^)

Savor the majestic beauty and splendor the Pearl of the Orient has to offer…truly rejuvenating, not to mention the Filipinos who are always wearing a smile, warm and genuine, making each guest feel welcome, special and at home!

I may not be in Pinas to enjoy summer but I’m sure there are many fantastic things to discover and exciting activities to do in Vietnam!

Hey! Any suggestion for a relaxing summer getaway?