Imagine if the world is safe to travel, I could be somewhere in the world right now visiting sacred places on another pilgrimage in Peru.
Here in my sanctuary, Vancouver, BC, Canada, I can only imagine walking and following the footsteps of the Incas. Dreaming.
Tell me, are you on this list? What part of the world 🌎 are you staying, sheltering and keeping safe.
Never have I seen such clarity that this water is teeming with life. The river bed is crystal clear. The shallow water can easily knock me off my feet should I am not careful will all the rocks. I do … Continue reading
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It was the year 2017 that London called me to spend Christmas with my niece. She lives in the UK and her family was going for a visit. Off I went for a ride. As it happened that year, London … Continue reading
On top of the mountain plateau in Norway, close to Dyranut Turisthytta, is a place seems to be frozen in time even though it’s summer. The land is covered with snow and ice with a single shack in the middle … Continue reading
Rannie recommends 10 Celtic attractions in Scotland. I’ve only visited one since there is so much to see in this small country: that is the Isle of Staffa, Fingal’s Cave. Staffa means “Pillar Island” from Norse derivation, an understated description … Continue reading
When traveling with a group, we are shown beautiful sceneries, taken to historical places, impressive architectures and told stories to tell. That is all good. For me, I want to add flavor to my journey, take the good together with … Continue reading
Thinking of sea, a form of a heavenly body, it comes in waves. Here in Vancouver, we love to just sit on the beach and watch the sunset. When the tide is low, we could walk and walk for miles … Continue reading
Ireland is a country of Gaelic people and mystical land. I could not understand their thick accent unless I ask them to speak slowly. I don’t know which one has the best accent: Irish or Scottish? There is a Gaelic … Continue reading
History reveals that life was a big circle, curves and spirals when we visited Newgrange, Co Meath, Ireland. The place of the prehistoric site built during the Neolithic age 3200 BC. According to archeology, the mounds are older than the … Continue reading
The year 2019 sounds so futuristic remembering a 1996 visit of Thailand. I feel nostalgic tonight. Photography then was archaic when we have to use a real camera, a film and the negatives processed. I could never tell whether the photos … Continue reading
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When a journalist becomes the story, it’s not good news. That’s what happened to Daphne Caruana Galizia, the best investigative journalist in Malta, killed by a car bomb. Her name is not mentioned in Times: Person of the year. I … Continue reading
Stars & Bucks Cafe is better than Starbucks because there is no Starbucks in Bethlehem. Coffee Palestinian style. Free Wi-Fi. They also offer juice, ice cream, desserts and much more. Also, they sell their own “You Are Here …” mug. … Continue reading
“That is my thunder, by God; the villains will play my thunder, but not my play.” – Alexander Pope
Two black-haired girls spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Little do they know, I can tell what they are up to even though they speak in their own dialect. It’s easy to read minds, you know since I am the queen of Mischief.
Frame by frame, a series of shots put together to capture this story of stealing their thunder by taking over their acts at lightning speed.
I had the last laugh and the best hug from Thomas.
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Come and visit. This is the easiest place to get lost and still find your way around. It’s a small city with so much to see and do. All you need is wear your walking shoes, pack a lot of energy … Continue reading
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It’s breathtaking to see from a distance the ice mass in the valley. Imagine 20,000 years ago this area is covered with a glacier. So beautiful that Norway attracts thousands of tourist visiting Briksdalbreen or Briksdal Glacier. The landscape is covered with … Continue reading
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Copenhell is a kind of hell that most people would like to stay. Hot-hot-hot. Heat wave in May. Sweat pouring out of skin. Earth is steaming. Even the air will burn your skin. One just have to cover up for … Continue reading
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Just can’t get away from these two gals following me like kitty cats. If they were really cats and died in the process of following me, only satisfaction will bring them back. They are very proud of making street photography … Continue reading
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It was a warm sunny June afternoon when we visited the old town of Kaunas, Lithuania. Most old town has a plaza and a town hall for everyone to enjoy. Even a place to have a wedding celebration. First, I … Continue reading
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There is place for me in this historical tapestry, in the upper right corner, just above the Beatles. And so I write words, words that I have heard, a jumble of notes, these words are not mine. And so it … Continue reading
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There is something about looking at the vastness of water on earth. It has a mesmerizing effect between heaven and water. Hypnotic. Walking on the beach or sailing around, looking at the horizon as far as eyes could see, there … Continue reading
Here’s our infamous Fr. Rex. photobombing the group at the Alvastra Abbey in Östergötland.
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These feet will take us wherever they want to go. Passengers from the hydrofoil are rushing to plant their feet on the ground of Estonia after a two-hour sail from Finland, 2,000 of them more or less. As pilgrims, our feet … Continue reading
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Somewhere in a Nordic nation, a billboard: Come party with us. A perfect place for 45 Canadian pilgrims shepherd by two priest. We searched for the nun but couldn’t find one in the land of the Vikings. Just as well, … Continue reading
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Travelling to new places is to discover how friendship develops by seeing them with new eyes.
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Two hours at Tivoli, Copenhagen to kill time is not enough, too short. But hey, this is one knotty tale to tell.
When I was younger, I wanted to learn how to drive and own a car. I realized this dream and drove all over British Columbia. I wanted to see places and see many faces. I met First Nations, Doukhobors, Freedomites, … Continue reading
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With heightened awareness on the growing tension crossing the border to USA, we make sure that we bring all proper identification. Canadian passport might not be enough because our passport states our country of origin, Philippines. Should we ever get … Continue reading
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The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers ~ Matsuo Bashō We can tell when Catholic churches in Cuba are no longer use to celebrate mass, tower bells were taken down and displayed beside … Continue reading
Do we travel in order to be moved or is it that we travel in order to move around?
We check around the surroundings in search for a perfect ambience, our eyes darting from one object to another, our whole body tasting, breathing, feeling, smelling, touching, hearing, listening all in one instance taking it all in.
But…. there is no but. We can only focus on one that will transport us from a lot of movement into our inner world with conscious measure of calmness and clarity.
And then, I could feel the air pulsing and be one with the hummingbird, heart beating as fast its wings yet hovering still to the sweet aroma of the nectar beckoning it, kissing and drinking the elixir of life.
Looking at this Egyptian girl, suddenly I realized how ordinary my life is.
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Two Canadian girls on a trip not knowing a single word of Gaelic. Reading these street names, we don’t even know whether it means North, South, East or West. We kept on walking on the island that is thick with … Continue reading
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Yes, Canada! Come and visit us this year. According to New York Times 52 places to visit in 2017, we are No. 1 on the list. Three good reasons: Canada celebrates 150 years as a nation, a year-long event. Free admission to … Continue reading
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I know a place, where no one ever goes, There’s peace and quiet, beauty and repose. It’s hidden in a valley, beside a mountain stream, And lying there beside the stream I find that I can dream. Only a place … Continue reading
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I keep my eyes, mind, and my heart open the minute I wake up. When I step out of my apartment door going out to the open world, in my mind, I say a prayer: “Let every step I take, … Continue reading
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Oh, there were resolutions to keep a low profile to pace myself to take it easy, because nothing is so important anyway but yesterday there was an inertia that got out of hand like a rolling thunder and good people … Continue reading
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Maybe if I call myself a traveler, it would be more acceptable. But I am not a traveler. I travel because of pilgrimage. On a pilgrimage, we call ourselves pilgrims. As a pilgrim, I go because someone asked me because … Continue reading
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Woke up with a dusting of snow. Left early to beat the commuters. Riding the Skytrain was a cinch. Got off at the Hub, Broadway and Commercial. A sea of people lined up for the 99 BLine. Ain’t gonna join the … Continue reading
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Does this sentence make sense? It does not matter, relax. Focus on these photos that will provide you many forms of relaxation. First, think like an animal. It’s so natural for them to remain calm, cool and collected. These are … Continue reading
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Have you seen Dr. Strange movie yet? Well, it’s full of magic. 3D and all. Very entertaining and worth watching. Filled with magic. Speaking of magic, I must say the chamber maids in Cuba can work magic. Being on a … Continue reading
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What can a man learn from sitting in a cell? Can a cell really teach a man everything? When the light shines on you, will you remain faithful living in your cell? Going into a tunnel with little lighting to … Continue reading
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Home of the locals in Havana, Cuba, is rife with history. It’s written on the walls, it’s written on their faces, it’s written on the wind. Fieles a nuestra HISTORIA: Faithful to our history. Let it be written, let it … Continue reading
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First, I must have a Cuban water or Cuban Water! Water has so many uses from cooling off your feet to washing your car, from an empty huge swimming pool to small fountain, from catching fishes to growing rice. And … Continue reading
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It’s not even a day, I miss them already; my family, friends, neighbors, cats, and the comfort of home. Leaving them behind to travel for my annual pilgrimage creates a nostalgic moment. Far away from home, I want to make … Continue reading
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Just to get the child to go to school, sometimes the parents will condone their children to bring a pet. Not a teddy bear or barbie doll. One day a parent and student show up for school with their pet. … Continue reading
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CAUTION: Enter at your own risk, the sign says. Somewhere in the jungle of Cuba, to reach the other side of the mountain, we have to enter a narrow cave. This is not for the faint-hearted. Scared? We are the … Continue reading
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When joining a beauty pageant, one must have a perfect body with a curve. In Cuba, the street is lined up with beautiful curves preserved in time for hire. A show stopper. It comes in so many shapes, sizes, and colours. … Continue reading
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It is the land that glows and expands. There are so many possibilities what one can do here. It is one of the most beautiful lands I’ve ever seen. Cuba meaning “Land”. In its simplicity, this is a place that … Continue reading
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“Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” ~ Rumi Dawn of a new day On top of Mt. Sinai. Half light, half dark The light made it … Continue reading
Joining a guided walking and sightseeing holiday in Cuba with Walker’s World is not actually a pilgrimage. However, I made sure that I consider it as one for I always consider myself a pilgrim on this earth. Visiting Churches is … Continue reading
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All I wanted is to take a photo of a blank wall. This is no ordinary wall. It’s a Cuban wall. It’s a Cuban blue wall. But in a place considered to be a tourist trap, it was next to impossible for … Continue reading
Good morning, my loving family, etc Guess where I am? Guess again! Tee hee hee 😂😂😂 I am at the airport, boarding at 8:20 precisely Airborne 9 on the dot Arriving Toronto at 16:20 Yikes! I have been saying I … Continue reading
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My feet carry me in different parts of the world to understand the divinity of Mother Earth. I am grateful what Mother Earth provides beneath our feet. Along the way, we encounter a bridge and calm water that create a perfect … Continue reading
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An American traveled to Canada and had difficulty understanding our road signs. He came up with a name for this sign. ‘Beaver in utero just ahead.‘ Actual meaning of the sign: Parks Canada The more he traveled in our country, the weirder … Continue reading
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Some old men went to Abba Poemen and asked, “If we see brothers sleeping during the common prayer, should we wake them?” Abba Poemen answered, “If I see my brother sleeping, I put his head on my knees and let him rest.” … Continue reading
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My thoughts are collections of other people’s ideas. There is no need for me to rewrite the story. They are good as they are. The following writings are thoughts from ordinary people who do extraordinary work that help shape my … Continue reading
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In India, we have to leave our footwear before entering a temple. I prefer to keep my beat-up shoes rather than moving it outside for fear of losing them and have to continue the pilgrimage barefooted. I never understand the … Continue reading
The Temple bell stops –
but the sound keeps coming
out of the flowers
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Riding a camel is not as easy as riding a horse. I remember having to ride on one and rely on this beast climbing Mount Sinai in pitch dark. I closed my eyes so that I don’t get scared and … Continue reading
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A simple invitation I sent out to different organizations offering my services as a volunteer. To my surprise, Aids Baby Centre (ABC) accepted my invitation. On May 8, I arrived at Chiangmai from Vancouver, BC, Canada. I received a warm … Continue reading
It was interesting to see contraptions along the coastline of Kochi. These are called Chinese fishing nets that are permanent fixture that is unique and an unusual way to catch a fish. It’s a great tourist attraction.
Curiously, my two nephews and their sister wanted to know how it works and paid the fisherman for show and tell.
The net is lowered into the water, left for at least five minutes and raised back up by pulling the ropes. This is the hard part. The kids have to partake on this experience and pulled the ropes. They were so excited that they did catch something: a tiger fish, a wee one that has to go back to the sea to grow sharper fangs.
Did the kids dare to hold the fish? Nope, too scared to be bitten. Such scared cats.
Besides just a few steps away, one can find all kinds of fishes and have your pick.
There are contradicting history how the Chinese fishing nets arrived in Kochi, Kerala, India. Some says Chinese explorer introduced it, others by Portuguese that came from Macau. Who knows. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that this is the biggest bait for tourist.
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The view from the hotel window, I could see the pyramids. It’s so close. I can’t wait to walk the desert sand for this great adventure to touch the stones of the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. But first we have … Continue reading
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“I will inspire by being ordinary.There are too many “inspiring” stories of people who leave everything behind in order to travel the world. I will tell stories of people who stay, who find contentment in what would seem a humdrum … Continue reading
False Creek July 2014
“My mother and I left the Ukraine on August 8th, 1991, when Ukraine was still part of the USSR. At that time, there was great political unrest 
throughout the Soviet Union. Communism was on the decline, and the power of the Mafia was increasing with an astonishing rate. Ukraine was in political and economic chaos. Organized crime bosses were graining political power; corruption was present at all levels of politics; and the Mafia was buying out high-level authority figures and gaining easy access to the purchase of weapons leading to gang warfare and uncontrollable violence against civilians.
My mother stood for over five days in a line-up in Moscow for the opportunity to get two international visas, one for her and one for me. Luck was on our side, for we were granted two one-month visas to Canada. On June 27, 1993, we boarded a flight to Vancouver. I was scared and eager at the same time. It was incredibly hard to leave my friends behind but I was excited for the adventure that moving great distances provided. We left with barely any belongings and a mere $250 in Canadian cash. Little did I know that our one-month trip would turn into me becoming a Canadian citizen.
For the first month my mother and I lived in Burnaby. After extensive house hunting she found a place she liked and we re-packed for the short move to False Creek. On July 1st, 1995, we received our Canadian citizenship after a mere four years in this wonderful country. I have now lived 6 years in Vancouver and am glad we chose this city over any other on the planet.”
by: Sergie Doubkov
Source: A Vancouver Story #5
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Olive trees are in abundance in Holy Land but what I wanted to see, touch, hug and take a leafy twig is the olive tree where Jesus prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane. I am pretty sure everyone that visits … Continue reading
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I met a man on a plane on the way to Spain. He was en route to walk the Camino de Santiago as well. Me, I was joining a group. Him, he was walking alone to turn off his mind. … Continue reading
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Where am I? According to the itinerary, we would have walked the foothills of the Pyrenees near the French border. This is the Camino’s traditional start to the “French Route” where medieval pilgrims arrived into Spain from France after an … Continue reading
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
Really?
Somehow this cloud does not look promising on the first morning of staying in Bilbao, Spain. The sun was struggling to break through the thick clouds.
It’s rather a warm day, the sun won, the rain lost, the clouds remained in the horizon giving a soft white fluffy cottony texture,
I found a corner bar that is open first thing in the morning. It is actually a coffee bar by morning and serves stronger beverage by night, if you get my drift. Here I decided to have my morning Java and a simple breakfast.
Ah coffee. Coffee tastes much better in Spain than Starbucks in Canada.
In the background, I could hear music playing to the tune of “It’s a Wonderful World. It seemed to me that it was coming from across the water,
After coffee, I decided to follow the music and crossed the bridge. At the other of the bridge, I found the lone player and people were passing, in a rush, and continued walking.
Well, I have all mornIng and now he has an audience of one, me. I requested if he could play the “It’s A Wonderful World” again. And he did. What a beautiful way to start a day. Of course, he deserves a good tip for making my morning memorable,
I walked away and he was playing the classical hymn “Ave Maria.”
Good Morning, Spain!
