Join us on a culinary adventure through the vibrant streets of Lisbon, where hidden treasures await your discovery. Tucked away in the heart of Queijas, amidst the glitz of the city, lies Restaurant Churrasqueira Malagueta – a humble yet enchanting fish haven.
The well loved eateryLess is more
Our journey to this culinary gem was serendipitous, guided by Mario from Ocean Clover- Viagens e Turismo, Lda, who led us off the beaten path to embrace the essence of local life. Stepping into Churrasqueira Malagueta, we were instantly captivated by its unpretentious charm.
Mario and the happy foodies
The menu, a celebration of simplicity and authenticity, features freshly caught fish expertly grilled to perfection. Each dish tells a tale of the sea, evoking nostalgia for coastal adventures with flavors that dance on the palate.
From the first bite, we were transported to a realm of culinary delight, where every morsel spoke of the chef’s dedication to tradition and the ocean’s bounty.
Grilled swordfish and salmon..
Notably, the desserts, reminiscent of home (the Philippines), especially the Flan with desiccated coconut caramel sauce, stood out amongst the rest.
Mousse delights What is left of the delicious flan with dessicated coconut at the bottom
Yet, it wasn’t just the food that left its mark; it was the warmth and genuineness of the dining experience. Surrounded by locals engaged in animated conversations, we felt like honorary members of the community, welcomed with open arms and hearty laughter.
As we bid farewell to Restaurant Churrasqueira Malagueta, we carried with us more than just memories of a remarkable meal; we took home a piece of Lisbon’s soul. For those seeking an authentic gastronomic adventure, this charming eatery is a must-visit destination. Contact Ocean Clover for more customize trips and guide http://www.oceanclover.eu
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
— John Muir
Introduction
It has been weeks since we have finished the walked in Santiago de Compostela . Weeks seems like days and we have our own way of holding on to that special week of ourlives .
Back to reality
REDISCOVERING OURSELVES
Before the Camino we have this pre concieve notion of ourselves . This is manifested with the line of thinking of ” gosh I am old can’t walk that far.” Or the feeling of we have been friends like forever she will never surprise me.
The week that we have walked redefine our limits, our kindness , our friendship , our determination and our patience .
-REDEFINING OUR LIMITS.
This was that moment that some of you hiked up the hills of Sarria or that moment that Beh Sally just walked in the dark bushes of Palas de Rei not wanting to stop , or ate Violy and Tes saying that that they can only walked 5 hrs a day but ended up doing two 21km , or Mader and Ate cing who walked 28 km .. Their Faith redefine their limits and Hope formed our Determination to see the end of the camino .
– Being Kind in a different level
We shared a certain attentiveness to our fellow peregerinos , experiencing the warmth of their testimonies .
We extend our helping hands without any second thoughts it was like the Cuban Lady story .
“It was one of those downhill trail that we have noticed her. She struggle for her steps as she decends. She was walking alone , her group went ahead . A half blind Cuban lady determine to walk her 115 km pilgrimage trial.
I took her cane, hold her hand as we go down one step at a time ..
She said ” thank you for your time and kindness “
No matter what language you are speaking or nationality . We can always understand gratitude and kindness.”
-The Test of Friendship and Patience
For quiet sometime now I have been traveling with friends and we have this anecdote that says ” we will not travel together for more than 3 days or else we will be with each others nerves .”
Traveling with friend is a break or make things especially if you have been confronted with circumstances like fatique , hunger and all that is in between .
Little rifts arises , walk outs and of course the infamous exchange of words .. we were tired at times wet and most of the time hungry. It was the glare of kuya Libs towards kuya Rey during one of those discussions .. its when kuya Libs just walked away and at our first stop Kuya Rey would buy him a water ..then they smiled towards each other
In us , with us is the Love for our Friend ,it is not those clashes that counts it was those undefine reconciliations ,we never knew when or how but we hug and say sorry .. we moved on .
To Conclude
As we continue with our daily lives , we know that we have been formed by thd bug of the camino , Mader bravely walked more than 10,000 a day when it was a struggle before . As Kuya Libs roamed around Boston and NYC with the itch of the Camino in his heart . And I continued to eat nuts and raisens ( typical lunch that kuya Libs and Ate Beth).
As Ate Luz and I have agreed that the camino have strengthen our friendship .
Above all, there is this unspoken bond that has been created in each one of us .
We continue to say “Buen Camino” to each other…let that bug of kindness and love continue to reign in our hearts ..
” All our dreams can come true , if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney
The grateful Peregrinos
Introduction
The Camino Santiago de Compostela was a dream of my Ate Luz . She have been watching the movie The Way. This movie inspired her to do the Camino as her way of saying thank you to all the blessings that has come to her life . A dream, a vow and a promise that has been postponed for years .
Until accidentally my Ate Luz expressed her desire to walk the pilgrimage in Santiago . I told her that I will see what I can and I will do some research and inquiry about it .
A year long planning from the itinerary to the financial budget . October 8 – 23 , 2023 starts the journey of our dream .
Team NYC
Ate Luz have invited some of her friends to join her with this journey . Violy, Tes, Sally, Rey and Ato joined ate Luz . The NYC team left earlier they had a side trip in Lisbon , Porto and a pilgrimage to Fatima . They were accompanied with my good friend Mario of Ocean Clover .
After four wonderful days in Portugal the adventure continues in Madrid where I will join them together with my Tigolits mamas .
Madrid the tigolits version
We have arrived day ahead of ate Luz and friends .It was an evening flight we have arrived late in Madrid on the eve of the 13th of October . The first thing that we did was ate at Jollibee , a famous fastfood chain from the Philippines.
The reason why I love Mercado San Miguel
We have also walked around the center of Madrid who was at that time was celebrating the National Holiday the sphere was very vibrant and warm.
First timer Madrid
The Convergence ( official pre camino meet up)
We woke up early had a sumptous breakfast at our hotel .
Start your day with an amazing breakfast and the rest will follow
Today will be an exciting day , I will meet ate Luz after x years and meet all these wonderful people who were up to this point were my cyber Ate and Kuya.
While waiting for them to arrived , we had a small walk at Santa Lucia and eventually had a sneak peak of the Debod temple .
The Temple of Debod[ (Spanish: Templo de Debod) is an ancient Egyptian temple that was dismantled as part of the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia and rebuilt in the center of Madrid, Spain
After this sneak peak , we hurried back to our hotel, that was the plan but then mader , ate Beth and Rosita have decided to go window shopping while I took the cab towards the airport.
After almost 2 hrs of waiting Ate Luz and co have finally arrived. A quick checked in and get to know …we started our Madrid exploration …
First stop was of course Mercado SanMiguel , then Beh Sally bought us some bubble tea . We tried to visit the Secret Nuns cookies of Madid but unfortunately the cloistered nun was closed till October 17.
Reunited feels so good
Later tonight we will have our tapa dinner while watching the flamenco show .
Flamenco Experience
Flamence is a very expressive dance and this is one of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage .
We have arrived a little bit late but we haven’t missed a lot yet . The food was good so was the wine . Everyone was awed by the intensity of the dance.
An hour long intensive foot work that will simply takes your breath away .
We ended our convergence day with a high note .
Tomorrow will be our day trip to Toledo and Segovia.
TOLEDO, SEGOVIA AND ALL IN BETWEENS
Toledo city, old town Segovia and its Aquaduct were declared as a UNESCO World heritage due to its beautiful monuments .
The functioning Aquaduct of SegoviaThe city of Toledo
It was a guided tour and the soon to be pilgrims of Santiago de compostela savored the sights of these ancient city . I will discuss this experience with another blog .
It was challenging day since we have experienced pickpocketing upclose and personal when our dear Kuya Rey realizes that his pouch was stolen along with his passport..
“I HAVE PREPARED FOR THIS FOR THE WHOLE YEAR ” – Kuya Rey
These were the words that kuya Rey said when he realized that his passport was stolen and that he would not be on time for our flight for Santiago .
Both Kuya Libs and myself did the possibilities since giving up was not in our vocabulary .. The three of us did the necessary steps while I did with google’s help search for other means that Kuya Rey can arrive in Sarria after filing for an emergency passport .
As the saying goes if there is a will there will always be a way .
October 16 , 4pm Kuya Rey accompanied by Kuya Libs arrived in Sarria and was ready for the start of our Camino.
CAMINO STARTS HERE
We arrived at Santiago de Compostela airport waited for our taxi to take us to our starting point Sarria. This will be the walk of faith , friendship and gratitude .
We did the Camino the French way starting in Sarria , this is the last leg for the Camino the French way . We will walk a total of 115 kilometers ( 100 km walking is the minimum kilometers needed to be considered as a pilgrim, while 200 kilometers if you will do it with the bike).
I will shun myself from discussing the weather or the technicalities of the terrain for each one of us have walked with a certain purpose.
This walk is not only a journey of appreciation of the scenic towns or the chase of those iconic stamps that will be exchanged with the pilgrimage certificate at the end of this walk, it is more than the elevation and this distance that we have walked .
This a journey that we part take with full of reflection . Every step or climb that ate Luz , Violy , Tes ,Beth , Sally ,Cing , Mads and Kuya Rey and Libs are full of purpose may it gratiutde or simply adventure but for sure it has been done with faith .
Faith will defy everything , it is the root of Hope to overcome any obstacles.
It was like when Ate Sally or Ate Luz walked in the rainy evening from Sarria _ Portomarin .. The conviction to finish the day walk was so huge that no matter what the weather circumstance was we keep on going .
It praying for everyone ‘s safety when unforeseen events pops up . That stormy evening when we were ( Kuya Libs, Ate Beth and myself) the only ones who arrived dry in Palas de Rei and everyone was still out in the rain .. My heart was in panic as I tried to keep my cool , trying to locate ate Luz and Mader , while running out in the rain trying to meet others who were having a hard time finding the hotel. The Camino speaks of being kind and taking care of those who are in need .. this was when Kuya Libs told me to asked everyone who came late to choose the food as we will order them and take them back to the hotel . It was when the hotel receptionist offered to drive us to the resto and take us back to the hotel .
The Camino is full of warm stories from the half blind Cuban woman who did her walk alone .
To our very own Kuya Rey who refuses to give in to the pain but instead focus on finishing the last 21 kms .
It mirrors Love and Friendship as I have seen how kuya Libs took care with Kuya Rey , how he would talk to him, tease him when he thinks he is already at the edge of giving up or in pain or How mader would hold kuya Rey’s hands to assist him . The patience that Ate Luz shows when the situation ask for it .
And above all it teaches us to be humble towards nature and towards each other . To try to speak with kindness even if we are tired . To be understanding of each others situation ..
The Ten of us have different testimonies about the Camino de Santiago but there is one thing that we have in common .. We are grateful for the chance that was given us to be able to walk such an epic route .
To witness the Botafumeiro and adore the exquisite beauty of Santiago de Compostela .
This was a walk of gratitude , friendship , brotherhood and sisterhood .
To everyone who made this journey a very colourful one ; and as we continue our Life’s walk always remember to say “Buen Camino” .
Rowena
Santiago de Compostela 2023
special thanks to : Mario Rui Macedo for a wonderful tour in Lisbon, Porto and Fatima ( Ocean Clover -Viagens e Turismo , http://www.oceanclover.eu )
Ylena Conesa of Santiago Ways ( http://www.SantiagoWays.com) for a very nice arrangement up to the smallest details ; it made our walk more enjoyable .
Luncheon at Le Jules Verne was an experience to keep .
This restuarant is located at the third floor of the very known Eiffel tower . A classy way of visiting this impressive tower with a private elevator , a receptionist and your own private access to the observatory deck of the tower . With Chef Frédérick Anton ( has been a 3 stars since 2007) leading the service you would expect nothing but perfection on every cuisine that is served . Both the meal and wine were perfectly thought out .
We had the five course meal with two amuses and glasses of savory rose champagne.
Chestnuts in caramel sauceSea UrchinsCauliflower mousse with caviarLemon crab Naturally cooked Cod with spicy jusSmoked lamb
Our food varies from Sea urchin to very tasty smoked lamb . The dessert was the highlight. It was called ” The chocolate dessert” , the chocolates were presented and made into temperature ( warm and cold ) you must start at the warm chocolate mouse then topped it with the cold chocolate.
The chocolate dessert
This will give you one mouthful of food orgasm… It is bitter , salty ,hot, sweet and cold or I should say magic …. We closes our luncheon with a coffee paired with these cute chocolates and sponge orange cakes to nibble.
Sometimea delicious things comes in small portions
As the skies cried her heart out .. Two friends enjoys the savory rose champagne at the top of the Eiffel tower .
Savory rose champagne
P.s
My dear friend ended her 50th birthday celebration here with a small complimentary mango sorbet with a handwritten in a thin chocolate sheet “happy 50th birthday Ralla ” by the chef 🙂
Giralda Tower is one of the iconic tower in Seville. At 104.2 meters or 32 floors it has dominated the skies of Andalusia for 800 years. An impressive Gothic design , it’s beauty does not only radiates outside but as well as inside . After all this is one of the four Unesco Heritage of Seville
Giralda tower
JO AND Beth
They have been friends for quite a while now . They have experienced the hardest storms of their lives but still manages to rise up. They are now both enjoying their pension years
My admiration for these two women become more deeper when we have visited Seville ,Spain a couple days ago .
Part of the trip was to explore the Iconic Cathedral and its renown tower . Being a history geek I was very excited to get inside since I have read that Christopher Columbus was buried here . ( that is for later to write about )
The mausoleum of Christopher Columbus
The Climb
Jo and Beth roamed around the Cathedral, admiring the gothic / moorish design of walls. Me, being me looked for them and told them to join me to the top of the tower.
None of us have expected that the climb would be so steep.
I went ahead and Edgar the husband of Clair would follow them indiscreet. Beth would just sing a praise song while holding the hands of Jo ..
Jo is a burned survivor. Forty- five percent air capacity of her lungs was damaged during the fire . She has some joints problem too . To be able to climb the Giralda tower would be a great challenge for her. A step at a time …a breath for every rounds she made it holding Beth’s hand .
As they approached the 32nd floor at their own pace tears of joy and contenment flows down into their eyes . While Edgar and myself cheered their conquest!
Exhausted but victors Tears of JoyThe proud nanny
Reflection
Beth and Jo are the two epitome of women who doesn’t know how to give up . No matter how hard life will treat them they would move ahead at their own paces, carrying the faith within them . It is this faith that gave them hope, the same hope that push them to persevere.
Yes , they have been through the darkest moment of their lives .. but like the climbed that they did in Giraldo Towers they did it at their own pace with faith in their hearts and if things really gets rough they would stop and cry they never questioned God instead they bow down humbly … take a breath and continue with their respective journeys
They have conquered the top , survived the battles now it is time to rejoice, enjoy and be grateful of what life will bring them .
The victory dance as they approaches the exit of the tower Beth and Jo fearless yet soft at heart .
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.”
― Napoleon Bonapart
The Giraldo crew .
Special thanks to Edgar who took good care of them
Seventeen years ago I lost my youngest brother due to pancreatitis . He was thirty years old and full of dreams.
His death came unexpected ,his death left a huge hole in my heart . A hole that I have learned to co-exist seventeen years after his gone . Each year stronger than myself I would relived the journey that I have been through , our the last conversations and the emotions.. Seventeen years , I still felt that I have come short as a sister and a friend .Seventeen years.. I still have the “maybe if …I could have .. ”
I have admired the friendship that he have built with his friends seven years after his death Christopher one of the homeboys continue the passion that they all have . He would organize a basketball tournament among group of friends .
This is their way of giving tribute to a friend , brother , playmate .. Every year around this time .. when I would normally shed tears Randall’s cup is born.
Randall’s cup is an ode for my brother .. this is a manisfestion on how he was loved by the people that surrounds him .
At this time of the year . I would look at the pictures of these basketball tournament with a smile in my heart … I would look up thr skies and imagine that He my angel , my benjamin , my brother , my friend is smiling down at us ..
He is gone but never be forgetten .. I will love him till I will see him again
This journey started back in Dec 2018 when a couple of my highschool batchmates came to Belgium and have a small meet up. Some of them I have already met a couple of years prior to this gathering while the others …. its was ages that we have seen each other and one in particular reaaaaally don’t know me . 🙂🙂🙂 ooh the good side of it is that she is now one of my good friends .. ( love you Viv 😘)
A gathering that I thought would only be a one time affair. As a private awkward person as I am. I have gathered all my social skills for heaven knows I am quite uncomfortable in these kinds of gatherings. One of the many reasons that I seldom attended a reunion.
To my surprise it turned out to be a very fun tapok . There was no moment dullness nor have I felt uncomfortable . So , at the end of this reunion we have agreed to try to do it yearly ..
2018 the start of more travel stories to be shared . Belgium , The Netherlands and Germany Dec 2018
Copenhagen here we come
2019 same month but with a much larger group. Three old aquintances joined the 2019 tapok .
Seeing Noel, Ralla , Jadine for the first time after all these years made me a bit of emotional . Getting to know the lovely personas of Roselyn , Bong and Reymund adds another shade of color to this gathering . Unfortunately some of us were not able to join Copenhagen but we have tried to connect through video chat .
Hugs , bit of tears of joy makes the streets of copenhagen bit warmer and louder .
I believe that Bong and Reymund were not as comfortble at the start of the tapok but at the end of the week both have become the Prince of this tapok .
We have explored the food markets, trivoli , christmas markets and of course visited the little mermaid of Copenhagen . While we ate chinese food at Malmo , Sweden 🙂
Like the in 2018 , there was no dull moment only memories were made and the friendship that has been build back then have become stronger . We can’t get enough , we have then planned the next travel gathering for 2020 ..
We always see to it that we will have a dramatic ,iconic group picture, Copenhagen and Sweden , Dec 2019
It should have been Bilbao
High from the Copenhagen get together we then planned for our next trip . 2020, we would explore the home of the golden beaches , Guggenheim museaum and delicious pintxos ( local tapas) . Yes! We were planning to explore Bilbao with a side trip to the culinary world capital of Donastia or San Sebastien .
Planning was on going until the unforseen circumstances came … COVID 19 rule the world and taught us to plan day by day .
We hang on and hope it would be over before our actual trip . By late September gave in to reality 2020 will be not our year to have a get together ..
We would wait up for this pandemic to passed and the world to reopen …
While waiting up for the world to re open we did what we could to keep in touch . And of course our traditional dramatic picture whether we are on exploring or just simply stating a statement , Pandemic 2020
Taking our chances, Making memories in Santorini Greece
Santorini trip was so far one of the most personal get together that I have experienced . It was very intimate . We have lived in one house and did everything as one group for we must create one social bubble as one of the safety measures that we have observed during the 6 days gathering . We even share one shampoo 🤣🤣🤣
Only those who were ready to travel joined this gathering .. it was a very small group .It was here that I have developed a much more deeper fondness of both Jen and Ralla .
I love the Sim’s morning news ( covid 19 related ) updates , Viv’s coffee and who would ever forget the night that Liv prepares for Sim’s surprise party ( pre 50 party). The respect that we have for each others personal space and stories was admirable . I just know that I love cooking for these people for cooking is my way of expressing my love for someone.
Happy faces , happy hearts … Santorini Greece 2021 was more than magical thanks to these amazing people .
Mini get togethers
Because we simply love the friendship that we have build . Each opportunity given to us we will always try to make the best of it ..
From Rotterdam shoppings spree , Ju’s grand fab 50 bash and Irelands st.Patty we bond we document and keep it in our hearts.
Making every moment memorable … Rotterdam , Belgium and Ireland 2022
Where to next …
Keeping our fingers cross, end of this year we will be exploring the land of fire and Ice …One of the homes of Aurora Borealis and the legendary Blue lagoon . Yes Iceland ! And we are ready for it … We would be embracing the new one’s that would join us . This will be on on the 25th of November till the 1st of December ..
End note
Here is what I know, in every place that we will be exploring , it will always be magical because of the connection that we build . To more intimate breakfast and dinner talks .. to the laughs that we will share … let us make memories together .
We start here , my sister from another mother Klara and myself did our almost nightly chat . A random talk about everything that happened to us ( which I really love with our friendship) . I became fond of Klara ever since I met her in NYC ( I will be talking about this friendship more later in my future write ups) . So out of nowhere I have asked her about St.Patrick’s Day and when it is .. we talked after this nightly chat I have already booked a ticket for Ireland . I am going to spent St. Patrick’s day for the first time ( not bad for someone who is almost celebrating her golden birthday ).
What has followed next warmth my heart it made me feel loved and special . The rest of my Irish- filipino friends took time to spent and made this experience special … here we go
March 17 …
This was my first Ryanair flight .If I would base everything through the reviews that I have read … It will honestly scared me . Thus , I don’t really expect anthing with this flight . In fact , I am bracing myself for the worse scenario case .
In the plane it was comfy ( I bought a seat with extra leg space 🙂) . Ryanair left and landed on time .. We could not asked for more .
In the plane when everyone was boarded .. my seatmates an american and frenchman have started chatting about what they have been expecting about this festive event . They have chatted themselves through my dreams.
We have landed the passengers gave the pilot an applause and a shout out from a Flemish passenger ” zuipen to the max ( getting drunk to the max ) ” . french passenger answered ” Santè”
Welcome committee
While I chatted myself through immigrations with my fellow green passengers . My good friends were outside waiting for me ..and also having their own festive moments
The Rose and his two torns
After almost an hour waiting for thier message to come and informed me that they were waiting outside . I went out and then I discovered that they were also waiting for me ….the waiting game is on
We got reunited and ready for the St.Patrick’s Parade to witness .
The ANHS 89 ST. PATRICK’S tapok starts now
St .Patrick’s
After almost two years of not celebrating this event it was expected to be very crowded and very festive . This event symbolizes not only the yearly St.Patrick’s but also freedom .. the near normal feeling of what the world was prior to the covid pandemic.
The basic covid safety rules was no longer respected ( I guess some of party goers already have a respected amount of alcohol in their system.)😄😄 More so it is very fun to walked in between these crowd with a mask of course for some precautionary measures, especially that in this event 1.5 meters distance can no longer be respected or practiced .cj,
Green and very festive folks
We haven’t see a lot about the parade itself .. if you want to watch and battled yourself with these green people and the street barricade you must be very peristent .But you can also watch through the monitors of all the cellphones who have been recording the event.
We blended
I got myself a face paint to fully be immerse with the crowd ..
Irish flag on my forehead or should I say my third eyeMe asking this street painter Oohh one must document this too
Hunger strikes
After the squeezing in and out , walking in between the crowds it is time to eat. Bong made a reservation at Wings a world cuisine buffet restaurant. Here you can eat any cuisine, asian , turkish ooh vegan and vegetarian too desserts is a plus and oooh the bottomless drinks for a reasonable price. I love to believe the ” reasonable price” since Bong treated us … Thank you Bong!
We all agreed that we made the right choice by abondoning the parade and listen to our stomachs . When we were done with our lunch , On our way back to our car ( we were heading to Howth) the waiting was unbelievably long . Bong even said that when the time comes for these waiting people to have their lunch it will probably dinner then .
Take notice the super long waiting crowd
Happy tummy is all we need as we continue our St. PADDY’ s day . Let’s go Howth
Howth
Howth is an Irish Village on the Howth peninsula east of central Dublin and only 20 mins drive from east dublin ( depending with the traffic of course ) . It is known for its Fish and Chips , posh houses , awesome pier and my own conclusion amazing early spring sunset .
Howth pier
Before taking a walk to the pier, We went to starbucks ( yes ! After all these years we are still a starbucks believer🙂). Had our coffee and charge dying cellphones . At this age especially when you are travelling a dying cellphone means missing out taking dramatic pictures of the wonderful views .
The starbuck charging break
As we embarked in the pier , I pointed my phone lens to the sunset here and then I fell in love . It was a beauty and by force Bong , Maricar and Claire became my subjects with my picture taking quest .. I have even asked and directed a teener on how to take these pictures the way I have imagined them to look like .
Bong’s heart shape hands Madame Maricar as pretty as the sunset Bong imitating Bono Dusk in HowthContemplationYou and I are connected .. no distance ,nor space can go in between us .. you and I are binded in this beauty of nature.. My sister from another mother My subjects … thank you for the patience
Howth is pretty and posh . We will explore this village more next time
March 18 ( day 2 ) Powercourt waterfalls , Wexford and sumptous dinner
Breakfast at Premier Inn was worth it .
We started our day with a sumptous breakfast . A typical Irish breakfast with plenty of coffee ( on my part)
As always breakfast has always been the time ( even during our previous trips ) where planning of the day was made or I should say bucketlist places to be visited were being discussed .
Intial plan … We will be having roadtrips visiting Powercourt , Wexford and we shall were the rest brings us as long as we will have dinner at Klara’s place .
First stop Powerscourt waterfall , Wicklow
This is considered to be the highest waterfall in Ireland with approximately 121 m of cascading water that is set at the parkland foothill of wicklow mountains .
Powerscourt waterfall
There was also a beautiful hiking trail that we have not fully explored. We were more awed by the cascading waters of powerscourt . We took some pictures .. it was here that I have discovered that our Bong is not so crazy with heights , so is Maricar and Klara . I have asked them to climb with me a little bit higher to have this wonderful picture of the falls but they told me it is safer on the level that we were standing. Me being me love heights and challenges made my way up near this beautiful waterfalls .. I bribe a lady to take a picture of me ..the result was magnificient
Freedom!!
The rest of the crew took a picture near enough to waterfalls
A nice spot for picture taking as I see it. But there was a couple that sat there for quite awhile and I believe took three hundred pictures of the same angle . Determine to “steal” the spot subtly I stood there near enough to invade their small private space .. it was that not too rude it is more of a silent message of ” we want you guys to vacant the space it is our turn” it worked 🤣🤣🤣. Thus, asking a nice fellow to take a couple of family picture of us
My ANHS89 EU Fam
After Wicklow , we were planned to go to Glendalough a glacier valley with the Irish monastic style . Unfortunately we have detour due to the long waiting hours due to traffic. We went to Wexford instead walk around a bit have our coffee break at the nearby Italian pastry shop .
South of Ireland
Wexford it’s time to go .. Let’s meet Edgar, Klara’ s husband who is a magnificient cook .
When we arrived at Klar’s place we were met by Toby and Scarlett their four legged babies .
Edgar made a very delicious vegan version of bibingka ( a kind of filipino dessert) , a home made pancit canton and of course Bong’s Humba favorite . We could not thank Edgar enough for the delicious filipino cuisine that he cooked for us . Klar is one lucky momma
Chef Edgar Us and Bibingka
Time to pack and fly home
My flight was very early , it was 4:30 am when Bong , Maricar and Klara took me at the airport .
After my bagage was drop off …it was really time to say goodbye to this three wonderful host.
I am beyond touched Bong, Maricar and Klara for taking time off from all their daily routines . For spending time with me and make sure that I will have a good time .
To Bong who kept on asking me ” if I am okey or I am having a good time” .. Yes , Bong your shade of thoughtfulness made Ireland more colorful .
Maricar , despite of your busy schedules who have choosen to spent time with me . Thank you for making me special for squeezing me in between your momma duties , madame nurse and a businesswoman. It is good to see you after almost 4 years.. ❣️
Klara, you are my sister from another mother and we both feel our emotions with each other than verbalize it.. I will see you soon in Belgium ..I love you😘😘
Departure area…last groupie
I will be back Ireland ….
Memories are made of special moments shared with wonderful people . This was ANHS 89 eu mini tapok in Ireland
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