February 2019 – Page 4 – Chescadventures

ALEXANDRIA

ALEXANDRIA- The Pearl of the Mediterranean has an ambiance more in keeping with its neighbors to the north than with those in the Middle East. The site of Pharos lighthouse, one of the Wonders of the World, and of Anthony and Cleopatra’s tempestuous romance, the city was founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC.

I went to see the country in December 2012 and I’ve been to the City’s Tourist spot and destinations like:

1. Lighthouse of Alexandria

2. Bibliotheca Alexandrina

3. Citadel of Qaitibay

4. Muntaza Palace

5. The Roman Amphitheater

6. Pompey’s Pillars

7. Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs, among other places

You will love walking in the streets of Alexandria as it is very Greek you would feel like walking on the Cleopatra Era since it is believed to be discovered by Alexander the Great.

Too bad that the month of December is always raining in Alexandria. It slowed us a little bit to explore more of the place. Some of the photos taken were in rain and some other time, we would stop at the shed for hours to wait for the rain to stop.

Here are some of my photos:

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Citadel of Qaitibay

Muntaza Palace

The Roman Amphitheater

Pompey’s Pillars

Other photos:

JAPAN

My Favorite Country, ever! I will be back here and visit more cities and places someday, and definitely, that’s for sure!

I’ve been to several Cities in Japan particularly in Hiroshima where I stayed for months during my two trips in the Country.

Moreover, I’ve visited a few Historical heritages like the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Stadium among others (side trips from Hiroshima, like Fukuoka, Miyajima and Iwakuni) but I haven’t had a lot of pictures taken and I’ve lost some (my mistake) of the few hard copies I’ve kept while the remaining others weren’t scanned yet.

Hiroshima has a bustling downtown area, the main feature of which is Hondori Street. Hondori is a pedestrian arcade that is closed to traffic and lined with shops and restaurants. I remember walking on this busy street, stopping from one store to another, and getting a lot of stuff from the thrift store called “Hyakkin” which means everything they sell there costs 100 yen only. It’s a thrift shop but everything is beautiful and useful and attractive alongside low price, you will definitely want to get more! But that was before, I don’t know if they did upgrade the price at this time. It starts near Peace Park and stretches east about half a kilometer. Running parallel to Hondori is Aioidori (Aioi Street), the main street used by cars and trams. Along Aioi Street stand a few large department stores where more shopping can be found.

I just love everything in here! You will get to taste the best Ramen you’ll ever have. The street foods are equally yummy. I’ve tried few several strange-looking street foods but to my surprise, they really taste good! I love their technology, particularly their vendo machine which is new to my norms, and wonder how they sell almost everything from that machine.

I was also particularly surprised that some restaurants don’t have staff and you order and pay it on a machine and people don’t seem to cheat.

The streets are super clean and you are not allowed to spit or throw your garbage anywhere. Yes, probably, that’s why Japan is very progressive because of these responsible citizens who always follow the law.

Here are a few of my photos taken in Japan.

The chance to spend my very first White Christmas season in the snow.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Stadium.

Shukkein Garden

Somewhere in the sea while I’m on a yacht with friends.

Tbh, I’m really glad that I had the chance to visit Japan and up to this date, this is still one of the best Countries I’ve been to. The Country is very clean, very progressive, and high technology, and the people I met are very polite, shy, formal, intelligent, very disciplined in everything, minimalist, and workaholic, you would actually adopt some of their norms while living in the Japanese culture.

LA UNION

La Union is a province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital is the city of San Fernando, which also serves as the regional center of the whole Ilocos Region.

I’ve been to La Union several times since childhood and later during my trips to the Philippines but the last time was in 2016 when I traveled to Vigan and passed by to La Union on our way back home with these kids on the photos. I remember how I used to visit my Uncle and cousins house every time I’m in the North and every time I was there, they would always refer me to the beautiful resorts/hotels by the beach.

Here are recent photos in 2016.

My chance to surf (tried) in one of Philippine’s surf capital.

Enjoying the sun, the sand, the weather, the sun-tan and me- San Juan, La Union.

Some old photos a few years ago

VIGAN

I have always wanted to visit Vigan, Ilocos Sur for a long long time! Fortunately, I only got the chance during my trip to the Philippines in 2016.

Vigan is somehow the remains of the Spanish era as you could see particularly in Calle Crisologo.

I like the view of this Asian/Spanish Architecture more than the modern ones, tbh. I love the feeling of going back to old times where all the houses/buildings are made of mixed concrete and wood, the capiz windows, the big front doors, and the kalesa ( the two wheeled-horse drawn carriage).

Calle Crisologo at night is more amazing! We had dinner along the street with their specialty, I had langgonisa (sausage) and chicharon bulaklak ( fried pork intestine) dipped in vinegar with salt, onion, and pepper and bagnet (deep-fried pork) for dinner and later we had a few alcoholic drinks in a nearby restaurant with karaoke.

More so, aside from this spectacular view, if you go a little bit further away, you will see a huge line of street food stalls where you can enjoy affordable snacks while wandering along the park.

Here are some photos I have snapped during the trip.

The city is unique in the Philippines because it is one of many extensive surviving Philippine historic cities, dating back to the 16th century.

All in, I had fun and enjoyed the scenery in Ilocos Sur. I’ll definitely come back soon…

Le Meridien Hotel

Le Meridien Hotel is a 5 Star Hotel directly attached to City Center, BH Largest Mall. With that, they have one of the Best Restaurant named Baharat that offers a variety of cuisine, International, Mediterranean, Sushi, European, and Asian among others and have the chance to experience the Live cooking stations.

Ik, the price is a little bit costly, BHD28++ inclusive,(something like PHP4k per person) free flow of alcoholic beverage and BHD19++ inclusive, free flow of non-alcoholic beverage, but then, the quality of food, the ambiance, and the service is excellent, plus of course, what do you expect for a five-star hotel?

It’s like we were planning to set dinner with my old friends (used to be Monday Group), for a very long time but as always, we couldn’t find the best time when everyone is free as one would always be out of the Country. Until finally, we all decided to get together this Wkend (though some are still out of the Country) and pick Le Meridian Hotel in Seef area.

TBh, I’m not fond of Sashimi and sushi, haha, strange but true, I think I’m one of the few who doesn’t eat much of this food, but since there are a lot of choices and it was a Seafood Buffet that night, with a variety of starters and appetizers, so I agreed.

The food was exceptional, the seafood options were all so delicious and in good sized portions and different cooking. The choice of salads, cheeses, bread, sides, and desserts are exquisite. It is seafood night, but there are also choices for vegan, Asian, Indian and others. Free flow of unlimited drinks, I think I had a glass of pina colada, and a few glasses more of Mojito.

Not to mention that the staff was also so friendly, helpful and courteous and The band is great musicians, the whole experience with friends are a truly remarkable one.

So I had Oysters and Lobsters and Prawns to name a few.

To end with, I had fun with old friends. That (almost) once a year get together was a night full of catching up from the long lost time since everyone is now busy with own family life. I remember how we used to drink and rock the different bars and hotels until the wee hours of the morning, about 8 years ago and how life would eventually change when you started to focus on the real life.

Good food, good friends, a night of catching up, perfect restaurant!

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