• Israel,  Middle East

    Visiting Israel’s Red Canyon

    I became aware of this place because of an instagram post. After seeing the post, I asked Igal if we can go to it on my next Israel trip. He wasn’t aware of the place but he was also interested to see it. I went back to Israel in August 2018 and stayed for five weeks. Of course, we followed through and paid the Red Canyon a visit. Going to the Red Canyon Our day of visit to the Red Canyon was quite eventful! Our itinerary for the day included a quick stop at Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon), which is what was initially entered on the Waze app. However, on…

  • Israel,  Middle East,  Travel

    A Day of Walking in Jerusalem

    I visited Israel for the first time in 2017 and I had the chance to visit Jerusalem twice. The first one was when when I went on a group tour organized by Tourist Israel. The second was when Igal and I joined the tip-based walking tour organized by New Sandeman.   Holy Sepulchre Church was included in both of those tours. However, we only stayed outside the church on the New Sandeman tour (the one with Igal) where the tour guide talked about its history. On the way home from the tour, I told Igal that I also got to see the inside of the church in my Tourist Israel…

  • Europe,  Israel,  Love,  Middle East,  Philippines,  Travel

    2017 Year-End Thoughts

    As the year comes near to its end, I look back to everything that happened in 2017 and the best memory is my trip to Central Europe and Israel. This reminded me of how it first came as an idea.   Two years ago, I started thinking of travelling to Europe. No concrete plans, no target dates. All I had in mind back then was “one day, I’m going to do it”. I started reading about schengen visa application, reading about train travel in Europe, checking-out hostels, reading blog posts, estimating the budget, and checking fares for flights going to Europe. I learned that there’s a chance to book a…

  • Israel,  Middle East,  Travel

    My October Love Affair with Israel (A Two-Week Vacation)

    According to Passport Index, the Philippines has a Visa-Free Score (VFS) of 61 as of October 2017. This means that Philippine passport holders can visit 61 countries/territories either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, one of which is Israel. Passport Index’s consideration is comprised of “193 United Nations member countries and 6 territories (ROC Taiwan, Macao (SAR China), Hong Kong (SAR China), Kosovo, Palestinian Territory and the Vatican) for a total of 199”. Coming from the Philippines – a country that is comprised mostly of Catholics,  a visit to Israel can be considered fortunate. When you say Israel, most Filipinos will think “pilgrimage”. Who wouldn’t want to visit the Holy Land?? And…