Janet & Carls Adventures

USA Trip

2009-09-20T17:23:00.007+10:00

So after lots of planning and saving Carl and I flew to the USA

left Sydney 1400 Sept 18, arrived San Francisco 1100 September 18 - the international time zones do my head in!

We are travelling with my friend Chris, her daughter Alyssa and we were supposed to have Reece along, Chris's partner, but the US Embassy is being weird about his visa, so we are hoping he can join us later.

long boring flight

i swear the leg space has got less in cattle class i really do

we checked in 3 hrs prior to the flight but couldnt get seats together!! 2 previous flights out of sydney had been cancelled for some reason, so they were squeezing them all into our flight

i got lucky and got moved to 'premium economy' - gave me a good 6 inches of extra leg space

arrived in SF - none of us slept beyond a doze - wish i could discover the trip of sleeping on long flights

I had organised a limo to transfer us in which was sheer luxury being greeted as we came out and then taken away

got to the hotel - checked in - they organised for chris and us to stay on the same floor - about 5 rooms away which is great

food was the next item on the agenda - had lovely italian - this is chris and i - can u tell how tired we are?

yesterday we did a city tour and alcatraz - will post that later

PMC Workshop

2008-07-09T15:09:00.008+10:00

a while ago carl and i ran away for a short break and did 4 days of precious metal clay so here are the results - well some of them, still have to locate the others and photgraph them where does the time go?!

Kitchen

2008-03-06T18:42:00.012+11:00

Finally getting a new kitchen! woohoo

so far the old one is ripped out

the bench tops went on today

the flowers are from the guys at work for my birthday sunday

Christmas

2008-03-06T18:34:00.005+11:00

So hows life people?
mine has been as busy as since i last posted
Christmas time my neice and great niece were up visiting grandpa and dropped into visit auntie
We of course spent time in the pool. and then we have Amanda the artist.

G'day

2007-08-10T22:04:00.000+10:00

long time no post i know
just been busy

Carl is doing a Cert 2 in fine arts in TAFE - they get to to printmaking, drawing, painting, ceramics and photography - hes having fun

im just slaving away at work
totally sick of it........ but cant afford to resign.

Canberra - holiday - June 07

2007-06-14T22:13:00.000+10:00

Monday: finished the retreat and headed into Canberra - thinking it wouldnt be a problem to find 2 nights accomodation - WRONG! Apparently parliment is sitting Tuesday so everything is booked out. Finally found a place in Queanbeyan to stay - $140 night - bit more than i like paying i have to say! but a nice room

went and saw Pirates of the Carribean tonight - predicatable i have to say

Tuesday: so after the retreat Carl and i spent 2 days in Canberra
we went to the observatory at Mt Stromlo
it's still not opened again after being burnt our in 2005
pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Janet.M.Masters/MtStromlo

we also went to the national acquarium and zoo
it was a cold day but got some great pics - have a look!
http://picasaweb.google.com/Janet.M.Masters/ZooAndAcquariumCanberra2007

Wednesday: Went to Cockington Green, cause despite the numerous times I have been to Canberra I had never been here........ and I dont think i will bother going ever again. It was skillfully done, but just didnt facinate me as it seems to facinate a lot of people.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Janet.M.Masters/CockingtongreenCanberra2007

Polymer Clay Retreat

2007-06-14T19:34:00.000+10:00

Wow what a long weekend!

Thursday: finally managed to leave St Clair at 630pm, then off to pick up Sera and then onto Canberra. Dropped Sera at her mothers and then onto the retreat location at Greenhills (http://www.greenhillscentre.com/).

We finally arrived at 1130 Thursday night. Said hello to Megan and the few others still up and crawled into bed

Friday: Up bright and early, breakfast and then into the clay!

First off was Megan teaching us skinner blends I think i have finally mastered them! Carl and I even managed a 4 colour one !!
In the afternoon Carl and I did a paverpol class with Lex Sorrento interesting stuff very versitle and lots of possibilities

Food and drink occur at way to frequent intervals! Miss Sandy and her husband who were the cooks last yr! the cooks this yr were good, but missing a bit of adventure with the menu! also missed the chats with Sandy. The fun stuff occurs after dinner of course, when we have a few glassess of our favourite tipple and sit and chat and play with clay and create!

Gorgeous sunset tonight

Saturday:
First off did a Milliefori class with Heather Richmond from Melbourne. My canning isnt that great, but i turned out something slightly better than my normal mushy mess! sorry forgot to take pictures of all the canes

Carl did Seras class on Faux Klimpt - I wanted to but had a splitting migraine so ended up taking drugs and crawling to bed. I will take some pictures of the beads he made and post them later when we have polished them.

Sunday

Carl did the silver metal clay class with Pam Annersley and Jen Tattum - made a great butterfly pendant which we then put a slice of his millifori cane in - looks great - will take a picture and post it when i have it on a chain.

While he was doing that i wandered around and chatted and played with clay, and some pinata inks and luminiere paints on translucent clay.

Our pasta machine bit the dust tho which made me very cranky as its only been used for the retreat! Megan things that its a spring thats broken, so now i need to break into it and try and fix the spring.

In the afternoon I did Beryls great class on making small creatures

Monday

Pam did a class on making beads

lots of interesting information

now have a heap of 'torn effect' beads to sand lol

the pictures are all loaded in this album here

http://picasaweb.google.com/Janet.M.Masters/PolymerClayRetreat2007

have a look! will add more as i get things finished and pictures taken

it was a wonderful retreat

where next year i wonder?

Wow Long Time No Post

2007-05-27T09:07:00.000+10:00

Wow
long time no post - didn't realise it had been that long

don't really have anything to report - just been busy with work and life
Carl is doing a TAFE course which is about reintroduction to the workforce so far he has done his OH&S certificate, responsible service of alcohol and gambling certificates and is half way through his first aid certificate. They also help them write their resume and do some interview practice - he is enjoying it

Carl is considering doing a certificate II in fine arts (Ceramics) at TAFE and I am thinking about doing a grad cert in Infection Control

June long weekend we are heading to Canberra to the 2nd Polymer clay retreat - should be fun
will post some pictures of our creations when we get back.

love to all

Janet

2007-03-18T22:01:00.000+11:00

Well the pegola is finished! finally!! Here are a few pictures
Click on the picture to take u to the album

Blog

Stuart and Renee

2007-01-13T18:19:00.000+11:00

Stuart and Renee came down from Queensland for a bit of a holiday and stayed at Grandpa's Dylan is asleep in the cot, and Riley is eating the lamington
Both boys look so like Suart at that age!

Carl the Fish Whisperer

2007-01-13T18:10:00.000+11:00

Carl has this habit of tapping the glass on the aquarium and all the fish come running
Actually he walks near the aquarium and they come running - they know who feeds them all the time!

so I call him the fish whisperer! lol

Pergola

2007-01-13T18:01:00.000+11:00

We are replacing the wooden pergola between the garage and the house as its falling down with wood rot. the new one will go up end of January, but a friend took the old one down for us.
It looks really strange with no pergola there!
also to show you all our pond area.
It will be great when its finished!

Christmas 2006

2007-01-13T16:54:00.000+11:00

Yes I know, better late than never tho!

Weekend before Christmas went down to Dapto for Amanda's first Christmas. Amanda got thoroughly spoiled! Bob playing the fool with his parents.

Great - grandma and grandpa

Christmas lights and Christmas tree at our house

2006-11-04T14:34:00.000+11:00

yeah i know long time no post
been busy

found this today and i think it is so true
why do religions fight?

all of these religions acknowledge what goes around comes around
sigh
some people are just to narrow minded to see anything out of their own narrow version of faith.
they really need to pull their head out of their arse and take notice that they dont have the only path, that their way isnt more righteous, and that they dont have THE #@$#$%#$@ RIGHT TO PREACH TO ME! MY BELIEFS ARE JUST AS VALID!

Ethic of Reciprocity
Bahá'í World Faith:

"Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not." "Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself." Baha'u'llah

"And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself." Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

Brahmanism: "This is the sum of Dharma [duty]: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you". Mahabharata, 5:1517 "

Buddhism:

"...a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?" Samyutta NIkaya v. 353

Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18

Christianity:

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12, King James Version.

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31, King James Version.

"...and don't do what you hate...", Gospel of Thomas 6. The Gospel of Thomas is one of about 40 gospels that were widely accepted among early Christians, but which never made it into the Christian Scriptures (New Testament).

Confucianism:

"Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you" Analects 15:23

"Tse-kung asked, 'Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?' Confucius replied, 'It is the word 'shu' -- reciprocity. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.'" Doctrine of the Mean 13.3

"Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence." Mencius VII.A.4

Ancient Egyptian:

"Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do." The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, 109 - 110 Translated by R.B. Parkinson. The original dates to 1970 to 1640 BCE and may be the earliest version ever written. 3

Hinduism:

This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. Mahabharata 5:1517

Humanism:

"(5) Humanists acknowledge human interdependence, the need for mutual respect and the kinship of all humanity."

"(11) Humanists affirm that individual and social problems can only be resolved by means of human reason, intelligent effort, critical thinking joined with compassion and a spirit of empathy for all living beings. " 4

"Don't do things you wouldn't want to have done to you, British Humanist Society. 3

Islam: "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths." 5

Jainism:

"Therefore, neither does he [a sage] cause violence to others nor does he make others do so." Acarangasutra 5.101-2.

"In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self." Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara

"A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated. "Sutrakritanga 1.11.33

Judaism:

"...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.", Leviticus 19:18

"What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary." Talmud, Shabbat 31a.

"And what you hate, do not do to any one." Tobit 4:15 6

Native American Spirituality:

"Respect for all life is the foundation." The Great Law of Peace.

"All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All is really One." Black Elk

"Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself." Pima proverb.

Roman Pagan Religion: "The law imprinted on the hearts of all men is to love the members of society as themselves."

Shinto:

"The heart of the person before you is a mirror. See there your own form"

"Be charitable to all beings, love is the representative of God." Ko-ji-ki Hachiman Kasuga

Sikhism:

Compassion-mercy and religion are the support of the entire world". Japji Sahib

"Don't create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone." Guru Arjan Devji 259

"No one is my enemy, none a stranger and everyone is my friend." Guru Arjan Dev : AG 1299

Sufism: "The basis of Sufism is consideration of the hearts and feelings of others. If you haven't the will to gladden someone's heart, then at least beware lest you hurt someone's heart, for on our path, no sin exists but this." Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh, Master of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order.

Taoism:

"Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss." T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien.

"The sage has no interest of his own, but takes the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind; he is also kind to the unkind: for Virtue is kind. He is faithful to the faithful; he is also faithful to the unfaithful: for Virtue is faithful." Tao Teh Ching, Chapter 49

Unitarian: "We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent of all existence of which we are a part." Unitarian principles.

Wicca: "An it harm no one, do what thou wilt" (i.e. do what ever you will, as long as it harms nobody, including yourself). One's will is to be carefully thought out in advance of action. This is called the Wiccan Rede

Yoruba: (Nigeria): "One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts."

Zoroastrianism:

"That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself". Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5

"Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others." Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29

Some philosophers' statements are:

Epictetus: "What you would avoid suffering yourself, seek not to impose on others." (circa 100 CE)

Kant: "Act as if the maxim of thy action were to become by thy will a universal law of nature."

Plato: "May I do to others as I would that they should do unto me." (Greece; 4th century BCE)

Socrates: "Do not do to others that which would anger you if others did it to you." (Greece; 5th century BCE)

Seneca: "Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your superiors," Epistle 47:11 (Rome; 1st century CE)

Examples from moral/ethical systems are:

Humanism: "...critical intelligence, infused by a sense of human caring, is the best method that humanity has for resolving problems. Reason should be balanced with compassion and empathy and the whole person fulfilled." Humanist Manifesto II; Ethics section.

Scientology: "20: Try to treat others as you would want them to treat you." This is one of the 21 moral precepts that form the moral code explained in L. Ron Hubbard's booklet "The Way to Happiness."

http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc.htm

Amanda's Naming Day

2006-09-02T15:42:00.000+10:00

I know these are out of order, but thats life!
Just some pictures from Amanda's naming day last month
Bec, Bob and Amanda during the ceremony

Amanda with Great Grandma

Amanda with Grandpa

4 Generations

It got cold later and so Amanda and Aunty Janet had a bit of a cuddle lol

ohh and the brown teddybear that amanda is busy chewing in so many of the pictures was made by her aunty sandra........... who as usual avoided being in pictures lol

Balmoral Beach

2006-09-02T14:50:00.001+10:00

well i finally got the pictures downloaded off the camera from our trip to Balmoral Beach the other week..... so here they are

Carl with Mysty

Jesse

and the view

Saturday 12th August

2006-08-12T14:59:00.000+10:00

Had yesterday off as an ADO
i so needed it
Carl and I decided to do nothing and just have a day out to relax
so we went to Balmoral Beach over on the northern beaches and took our two dogs with us
had such a relaxing day just walking along the esplanade, had fish and chips for lumch and sat and relaxed. i will post some pictures just as soon as i get em downloaded from the camera

Sunday July 30

2006-07-30T21:16:00.000+10:00

Wow
where does time fly!

so whats happening with us?
we are currently hand raising 5 baby teils
gandalf and xena (the parents ) are back laying eggs
weather was gorgeous today
not enuff time on the weekends
we never seem to get half done that we want to

next weekend is Amandas naming day

new job is going ok
very full on tho

thats all folks!

More Canberra Stuff

2006-07-09T20:31:00.000+10:00

I forgot to add more of the stuff we made in Canberra

Did a class on kitchen goddesses
this one is mine

and here are some of the ones other people made

Carl had fun once he had his basic armature lesson!
here are his creations

13th June

2006-06-25T19:32:00.000+10:00

yeah I know this isnt then but I am writting about then! lol

Carl and I went to a polymer clay retreat in Canberra for 4 days

had a ball, lovely group of people - carl the only boy
great accomodation and way too much food!
and learnt so much!

some of the wonderful people we met

2006-05-29T21:35:00.000+10:00

yeah i know! long time no post
lifes just been busy

I started a new job (partime) which has meant that I needed to pick up some shifts to make the money the same. thats been tiring!
Then i got loaned out by my new boss! Monday I start a new job on secondment I will be the hand hygeine project officer! watch this space
as i find out what actually i will be doing i will let you know!

Carl and I decided to go on a picnic on sunday to one of my favourite places in the world............. Wheeny creek. its in the wollemi national park
here are afew pictures. they just came about as we were both playing with the camera

Janet

Sunday 23rd April

2006-04-25T15:57:00.000+10:00

Mum came down and stayed at Rods We bought her a ticket to go see the Anzac Military Tattoo they did that yesterday Today Rebecca came up from Wollongong to visit with Amanda and we all had lunch at Rods.

Family Photo's 1 & 2 Mum, Rod, Sandra, Janet & Carl, Dominic & Amanda

Rebecca, Rod and Amanda - 3 generations

Mum, Me, Dominic and Amanda

and Carl attempting to hold a baby

Easter Sunday

2006-04-24T21:17:00.000+10:00

Easter Sunday Carl took mama to church and then brought her here for lunch We took the family photo! lol

This is is a picture of the cockateil we gave mama after papa died
his name is zorro!
he is quite a talker at times

Final Day - Monday 14th March

2006-03-25T22:41:00.000+11:00

Carl was up bright and early
Back to AFPSLAI and then to Metrobank
I repacked and had a nap
feel a bit off... throat a bit sore

Taxi to the airport at 3pm
Booked in
crap seats - very back of the plane right near the galley and the toilets

had some obnoxious australian males in front of us
dozed on and off during the flight

Didnt realise we had a 90 minute stop over in Brisbane...... at 3am! grrrrr

Felt totally whacked by the time we got off the plane
Customs woman as rude as shit as usual

Chris picked us up took us home - nice woman had bought us milk and bread and some fruit so we didnt need to go and get supplies!

Crashed and slept

Sunday 13th March

2006-03-25T22:26:00.000+11:00

Went back to Greenhills shopping centre.
Bought some more pearls.
Visited Betty and the kids at the house in Quezon City.

Met Tofe and Lurvey at the Market Market Shopping Centre at Ft Bonifacio. Had a lovely meal. They dropped us back to the hotel.

Saturday 12th March

2006-03-25T22:21:00.000+11:00

Betty, Carl and I went to Divisoria today.
Bought a few things
Repacked the bags
Sorted stuff thats going to go to Bettys to be shipped home.

Random images of Manila that we have taken

Day 14 Friday 11th March

2006-03-25T22:18:00.000+11:00

Carl spent most of the day stuffing around with AFPSLAI still trying to sort his fathers stuff out.
I sat in a net cafe in Cubao waiting for him for 4 hrs! Did wander around a bit..... but didnt really want to buy anything.

Beth & the kids brought dinner to the hotel for me for my birthday which was lovely!

Day 13 March 9 - My Birthday

2006-03-25T22:08:00.000+11:00

huh what a day
left Ft Ilocandia at 0815
arrived Manila at 1900
damm long day

just some random images from the day

Day 12 Wednesday 8th March

2006-03-25T21:28:00.000+11:00

Late breakfast. Picked up by Joseph and Doy and did a town tour.
First off the Illocando Museum which showcases the local people (the Illocando's) culture. What facinated me was the intricate wooden fret work that they had at the top of the walls and the lace they had hanging in doorways.

St Williams Cathedral in Laoag is sinking.... it looks really strange!

Got dropped in the central market in Laoag. Carl bought himself a Barong Tagalog - a traditional filipino shirt and got a hair cut.

Back to the resort about 2pm. Wandered down to the beach which was absolutely deserted and then back to the pool.

Had a swim, and then took some pictures of the flowers and gardens.

Ended up in the pool bar and took some pictures of the sunsets. The bar had these amazing shell inlays.

Went out to dinner for my birthday - invited Joseph and Doy as well.

Day 11 Tuesday March 7

2006-03-25T19:01:00.000+11:00

Late start today - nice sleep in!

Went to the Crisologo Museum - a local who was a political rival of Marcos and who got himself assassinated - no accusations here guys!

Then off to a local pottery. Interesting watching the pottery using a foot driven wheel creating a new pot in about 5 mins!
Bought 2 big pots with dragons on them - everyone assures me it will be easy to get them shipped home....... we will see.

In the main square of Vigan there is the cathedral, the archbishops palace and a square with a diaroma in it of the Philippines. Unfortunately I couldnt get a good shot of it.... I think Carl got it on video.

We then headed out towards Laoag. At Illocos Norte we stopped in and looked at Paoay Church. It's built of coral blocks and stucco-plastered bricks. The architecture is a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental. Construction of the church started 1704 and completed in 1894. Really unusual having spirals on the buttresses! Couldnt get inside however as the caretaker was no where to be found.

Tried to go to Marco's Mausoleum at Batac in Illocos Norte, but there was a power outage and they wouldnt let anyone in - not to devistated as looking at dead bodies isnt my thing!

Then off to Malacanang of the north - an official residence of Marcos. Massive place - needs major repair work! Cant say I liked the palace but the view across Lake Paoay was impressive.

Somewhere on the way up the coast we passed this rock outcropping that has a grotto in it. Plus just some other general scenes during the day.

Very hot today. Decided not to do a town tour of Loag but go straight to the hotel in Laoag. Staying at the Ft Ilocandia resort! very posh. Marcos built it for one of his childrens weddings! Had a nap and then went for a walk - found the pool yeah! swim time!

- a few inaccuracies on the website tho - the spanish restuarant no longer exists, the cocolobster bar is only open on certain days (and not the 2 nights we stayed) the gym was shut - no rationale given!

Ate at the resort - very mediocre chinese. Played a game of pool in the sports bar.

Day 10 Monday 6th March

2006-03-25T16:48:00.000+11:00

Sleep in today! Didnt leave until 0830!

Joseph and Doy complaining that its freezing cold still.
Temps about 17-18C this morning.

Did a bit of a town tour - traffic very congested. then went out through La Trinidad to the strawberry fields - lots of flowers and strawberries. Bought some jam and fresh strawberries and a bottle of wild berry wine (blech). Carl bought me a silver bracelet, and I bought a solid silver bracelet for Amanda. After we had left I figured out how cheap the bracelets were and was annoyed with Carl cause I wanted to buy some more and he wouldnt let me lol.

We then went to Mines View Park at the top of Baguio, the Botanic Garden and then drove past Camp John Hayes.

Left Baguio after lunch and headed to Vigan.
Somewhere along the way we stopped and bought some stuff called tinubung - its a hollow bamboo tube filled with sticky rice and cheese - not bad except when it gets too dry!

Arrived in Vigan about 5pm. Its and old Spanish town where they have tried to preserve the historic township- lovely but desperately needs some conservation work!

Drove around the old part of time, checked into our motel which is an old spanish style place with the rooms around a central courtyard with a fountain. We are right on the edge of the old town, but for once it had shut down by 7pm (most shops over here are open till 10pm each night)

Had dinner in an outdoor cafe (Cafe Leona - named after a famed local poetess Leona Florentino)

Day 9 Sunday 5th March

2006-03-25T16:36:00.000+11:00

Early start. Had breakfast and left by 0630. Not in a van - in a locals 4WD - roads very muddy and slippery! Out to the Hapao Rice Terraces. It is so beautiful as its wreathed in mist... contrasts to much to the ugly local housing which seems to be composed of rusting corrugated iron sheets and ugly gray concrete! The huts are so precarious perched on the side of the mountains - you can see where there have been mud slides - the local guide didnt answer Carl when I asked were people killed as a mudslide wiped out a house... so that sort of tells me yes they are.

Got back to Banaue by 10am, had a cup of coffee and then off for another long drive to get to Baguio. We have to go down this mountain, along the plains area again and then up the mountain to Baguio - they tell us that there is a road that is shorter, but its very narrow and in very poor repair - considering I think that about the roads we are travelling on we elected to go the longer and better roads lol

Stopped at Nueva Ecija for lunch. Tried the local delicacy called Hito (cat fish) I found the taste very muddy I had to say, but it was edible.

The hills on the road into Baguio are so different to Banaue. Banaue is so green and lush, the hills here are very dry and covered in shale. I think they said that they mine gold, silver and copper here. Arrived at 5pm - traffic congested as hell, and roads closed due to a market in Sessions Rd (end of the flower festival). Hotel is very nice and civilised lol.

Booked in and then headed down to Sessions Rd. Very very crowded... lots of pointing at me - somehow I thought the people here would be more used to Europeans since the Americans used this place so much. Started to rain, so we took refuge in an internet cafe - then there was a massive blackout - so gave up and went back to the hotel.

We bought some Guava wine - ewwww tasted like kerosene to me! Carl seemed to like it tho lol.

Day 8 Saturday 4th March

2006-03-25T16:13:00.000+11:00

Ugh....... up at 3am left 315.

Our chariot for the next 6 days is a van. Just Carl and I, with a driver and a guide! not bad for US$1170 accomodation and breakfasts included!

The Chariot!

Dozed on and off in the van - the driver got lost lol and we ended up doing an 1.5 hr backtrack once they realised. Signposts are few and far between!

Our destination for tonight is Banaue. The rice terraces are located here - they are called the 8th wonder of the world. Its cool and drizzling - Joseph and Doy (guide & driver) think they are going to die of the cold lol whereas I think its bliss - about 17C. Acommodation is very basic.... staying at a place called the Green lodge. We have the only room with an ensuite! But its clean and the beds reasonable. Hot water is a misnomer! it should be called tepid water lol.

I love the way that houses are falling down while they are still beeing built!

Tiny congested town clinging to the side of the mountain.
People are friendly enough, but I dont know what happens here except for tourism... there seemed to be very few shops that werent selling tourist stuff.

Day 7 Friday 3rd March

2006-03-25T16:02:00.000+11:00

Caught a taxi out to Project 2 in Quezon City - where Carl's family home is located.
Carls cousin Betty and children live there. Nice house, but needs some repair work on it!

After we had finished we then caught the LRT (Light Rail) to CM Recto (yeah its the name of the station!) and went to Quipo markets. I dont know why everyone at work has been freaking about me going here. yes its crowded, yes they stare at me, but its a hell of a lot politer than the markets in Cairo! Carl bought some DVD's and I got some pearls and jewelry.

There is a huge church here called the Black Nazarene, but there was a service going on that had spilt out into the square infront of it - couldnt get my camera out to take pictures - it was all you could do to move! Didnt realise until later that today was the first Friday of Lent!

Anyway leaving at 330am to head north!

Thursday March 2 Part 2

2006-03-24T19:52:00.000+11:00

This fort was established when the Spanish took over the rule of Manila.

Fort Santiago is so deeply involved with the history of the Philippine independence struggle from Spain. Dr Jose Rizal was executed here (he was one of the leaders of the independance movement, he was a published author and a deeply intellectual man).

The gate way is the enterance to Ft Santiago, and around the Fort is a moat, which has waterlilies growing in it. It looked lovely when we were there.

The second gate is called the postern gate or the Baluarte de Santa Barbara - and the next image tells you all about it!

The river that is in the pictures is the Pasig River that runs through Manila. Like most rivers over here it is awfully polluted, but the guide we had said that they have been working to try and clean the river up and that recently fish and sea grass started growing again..... which is a healthy sign

The only image that isnt in Ft Santiago is the one with the fountain in it - that is in Intramurros and is an historic house that they have done up as a 17th Century Spanish House - unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures in there.

This evening we met up with Carls' cousin Tofee and his wife Luvey for dinner at Rockwell - another massive shopping centre! there are so many huge shopping centres over here - they all look similar and they all have the same expensive signature stores. buying stuff in these places is no saving! However they are very clean and have wonderful cold airconditioning lol.

Day 6 Thursday 2nd March 2006

2006-03-20T21:35:00.000+11:00

Off to Rizal Park and the Department of Tourism
Ended up booking an afternoon tour of Intermurros and then a 6 day 5 night tour north, to Banaue, Baguio, Vigan and Laoag.

here is a map to show you all where we went!
Even tho Banaue is a dot near Baguio its actually a 6 hr drive down one mountain and then up and over the next one!

Before the tour started we had lunch at the Singing Cooks & Waiters Restaurant (Barrio Fiesta)- mixture of Chinese and Philippino food.

Following that we went for a tour around Intramurros which is the old Spanish walled city of Manila.
First off we walked through this lovely park

with these gorgeous red frangipani trees

into Fort Santiago.

Day 5 Wednesday 1st March

2006-03-20T19:20:00.000+11:00

Went shopping to Greenhills Shopping Centre today with Beth, Macy, Francis, Joseph and Eloida! Quite an entourage!

Didnt think to take any pictures of all the stalls
bought some pearls and other bits and pieces
had chinese for lunch. hot and muggy so came back to the hotel by about 1530 Carl met me back there.

Picked up at 1830 by one of Carl's university mates Jun
off to dinner and then to a wine bar.
lovely night!

Day 4 Tuesday 28th February

2006-03-20T18:35:00.000+11:00

Janet:
What a day!
My talk was scheduled in the 7am-9am time slot.
So I get there at 0645 (blah early mornings!)
I think the first official person turned at at 0715! I actually spoke about 0815! Today was such a long day and I so wanted to go after I had done my talk, but I am so glad i didnt! We won best free research paper!!
Here are a few pictures of me talking,

and Tina Kendrick from ACCCN.

Traffic was shit getting back to Makati, so we went to the massive Ayala shopping centre. Had dinner in one of them that is called Glorietta. Carl bought a new shirt, and we discussed what travelling we are going to do whilst here. Made a decision to go to the Dept of Tourism and talk to them

Carl
Carl ran around like a mad chook again trying to organise all the documents that AFPSLAI wanted that they didnt tell us about before we left Australia. Sent the stuff to Australia via FedEx that has to be signed

Day 3 Monday 27th February

2006-03-20T18:29:00.000+11:00

Janet:
Back at the conference today. Met 3 nurses (Filippino's) from Westmead ICU! All excited cause I am presenting our research that they have been involved in.
Left at 1530 (bit bored) and sat and waited for Carl. Cant go back to Makati as the roads blocked from a march, so we wandered through a few local shops until we could catch a taxi back to Makati. Had pizza for dinner. Found a net cafe and logged on.

Carl:
Went to AFPSLAI and found out the nightmare of paperwork. Ran around trying to organise it all. What a day!!! Went with Beth to the national statistics office to spend the whole day in the queue trying to get copies of everyones birth certificates

Day 2 Sunday 26th February

2006-03-20T18:13:00.000+11:00

Today the conference started.
Carl took me there in a taxi then he went out to Quezon City
Picked me up at 1530 and we went to one of the shopping centres. This one was called harrisons. Massive SM Megamall. Carl bought some new joggers ( I had banned his from being packed they were so awful lol) I tried to get some shoes but if they could find my length my feet were too wide....... So I gave that up as a bad joke.

There is some sort of attempted coup going on here with the military. The only reason I know it happening is because it is in the news and news papers. Rang mum and reassured her as I bet she is freaking.

Day 1 Saturday 25th February 2006

2006-03-20T18:00:00.000+11:00

Onie & Gina picked us up from home and took us to the airport - thanks guys! As we flew out, we flew over Western Sydney, Carl managed to take a couple of photos this one is of where mum's old house was.

Long boring flight. Carl watched the movie I read a book.
Some how or other got stuck between a family - we should have offered to swap seats but didnt think about it until it was too late. So infront of us we had young parents with a 13month old and behind us we had the 2 aunts.

Flew into Manila as the sun was setting there. This picture was taken as we starting coming into land at Manila

2006-03-20T17:22:00.000+11:00

Hi guys
Carl & I thought that this would probably be the easiest way to get to see our pictures and a bit of the video from our holiday. We were going to host the pictures here but it was chewing up to much of the limited space so I have hyperlinked them in - hope it works!
This will be a work in progress for the next few weeks so be patient and check back!
thanks
Janet and Carl