Quebec Canada

Even though it is Canada’s largest province, Québec is bursting with gorgeous scenery, world-class culture and first-rate entertainment. A melting pot of artistic forms originating in Europe and North America, Québec is alive with creative energy. The obvious Francophone cultural pride is displayed in literature, music, theatre, dance, paintings, and sculptures.

Visitors from every corner of the world flock to the numerous annual festivals, which consistently draw international praise. The calendar of cultural events and activities varies from city to city throughout the year, but one thing's certain: they are always packed. Whether you speak French fluently or have no experience with the language, the gracious residents of Québec are happy to accommodate.

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Toronto Canada

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto is a clean, safe, cosmopolitan city with a wonderful network of parks, recreational, and cultural facilities. Toronto is the home of four professional sports teams and the third largest English-speaking theatre district in the world, behind New York and London.

One of the world's most ethnically diverse cities, it is home to more than 80 ethnic communities from Africa, Asia, and Europe. Toronto is also the business centre of Canada.

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Taipei Taiwan

The city is certainly not the most aesthetically pleasing - marked by monoliths of glass and steel; wide, congested boulevards; and the noise and pollution normal to most major metropolises. Not to mention the odd East meets West surroundings and cultural intricacies can often make it difficult to carve out a niche in this de facto capital.
Its climate is marine tropical.The northern part of the island has a rainy season that lasts from January through late March during the northeast monsoon, and experiences meiyu in May.The entire island experiences hot, humid weather from June through September. The middle and southern parts of the island do not have an extended monsoon season during the winter months. Natural hazards such as typhoons and earthquakes are common in the region.

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Taipei International Airport

Connecting flight to Toronto

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Eva Air Experience

This is my first time to fly with Eva Airs, usually I boarded Cathay,Singapore Air,Emirates. . .
With my today's experience all I can say is that there's an easy check-in, no problem with seating and had the seats requested. Staff very attentive onboard - they brought drinks round every 30mins.
Hehehe when it comes to food it was good with a variety of drinks offered, including alcohol. On Taipei to Toronto two full meals served. Inflight entertainment covered a range of options, while not as comprehensive as, Emirates ICE system, there was a good choice of viewing.

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Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Officially, NAIA is the only airport serving the Manila area. However, in practice, both NAIA and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), located in the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles, Pampanga serve the Manila area, with DMIA catering mostly to low-cost carriers that avail themselves of the lower landing fees than those charged at NAIA. In the long term DMIA is set to replace NAIA as the primary airport of the Philippines.

The airport is named after the late Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., who was assassinated at the airport in 1983. In 2009 the airport saw growth of 11.4% to 24.1 million passengers. In 2010, NAIA terminal carried 27.1 million passen airport serving the general area of Manila and its surrounding metropolitan area. Located along the border between Pasay and Parañaque, about seven kilometers south of Manila proper, and southwest of Makati, NAIA is the main international gateway for travelers to the Philippines and is the hub for all Philippine airlines. It is managed by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), a branch of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

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Eat All You Can

A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners generally serve themselves. It is a popular method for feeding a large number of people with minimal staff. Buffets are offered at various places including hotels and many social events.

One form of this buffet is known as the all-you-can-eat buffet, is more free-form: customers pay a fixed fee and can then help themselves to as much food as they wish to eat in a single meal!

Sundial

You can see in this photo is an ancient sundial found inside Philippine Military Academy. Sundials indicate the time by casting a shadow or throwing light onto a surface known as a dial face or dial plate. Although usually a flat plane, the dial face may also be the inner or outer surface of a sphere, cylinder, cone, helix, and various other shapes.

The time is indicated where a shadow or light falls on the dial face, which is usually inscribed with hour lines. Although usually straight, these hour lines may also be curved, depending on the design of the sundial. In some designs, it is possible to determine the date of the year, or it may be required to know the date to find the correct time. In such cases, there may be multiple sets of hour lines for different months, or there may be mechanisms for setting/calculating the month. In addition to the hour lines, the dial face may offer other data—such as the horizon, the equator and the tropics—which are referred to collectively as the dial furniture.

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MJ The Traveller: Rome - St.Peter Basilica

MJ The Traveller: Rome - St.Peter Basilica: "Rome-Vatican The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture..."

Baguio City

Baguio is hailed as the summer capital of the Philippines and known as one of the industrialized cities in the Northern part of the Philippines.

Many people visit this city every summer because of its cold weather and attractive tourist spots.

The most famous route to the city is Kennon Road, however, it is dangerous to take that route during the rainy season because the road is prone to land slides.

Many foreigners visit the place during February because it is the month in which the famous and luring Panagbenga Festival or Flower Festival is held. For those who want to visit the city during these times, they are advised to book in hotels in Baguio in advance.

Maritime Academy Of Asia and the Pacific

The Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) is a non-stock, non-profit maritime higher educational institution which is owned, developed and operated by the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines. AMOSUP is founded by the late Capt. Gregorio S Oca. The new AMOSUP President, Dr. Conrado F. oca, heads the Academy's board of governors. The board is comprised of representatives from the private sector, the Internation Transport Workers Federation, the All Japan Seamen's Union, the International Mariners Management Association of Japan, the Norweigan Seafarers' Union, the International Maritime Employers' Committee, the Danish Shipowners' Association, the Norweigan Shipowners' Association, and the Japanese Shipowners' Association.

Recognizing the Filipino as one of the most valuable human resources, the All-Japan Seamen’s Union (JSU) and the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) has partnered with MAAP to build a second facility within the Academy grounds, the JSU-IMAAJ Campus.

MAAP’s primary objective is to meet the ever increasing demand of both local and foreign shipping companies with well disciplined, ably trained, competendt and qualified deck officers and marine engineers who are readily at hand in a globally competitive maritime trade and industry.

Pizza Italiana

Pizza is a type of dish invented in the 16th century in Naples by a chef named Raffaele Esposito. In 1889, Esposito who owned a restaurant called the Pizzeria di Pietro baked what he called "pizza" especially for the visit of Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita. Originally a dish of the common people named "pizzaioli", it was sold in the street and was not considered a kitchen recipe for a long time.^{[citation needed]} Before the 17th century, the pizza was covered with red sauce.^{[citation needed]} This was later replaced by oil, tomatoes (after Europeans came into contact with the Americas) or fish. In 1843, Alexandre Dumas, père described the diversity of pizza toppings.

In June 1889, to honor the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, the Neapolitan chef Raffaele Esposito created the "Pizza Margherita," a pizza garnished with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, to represent the colors of the Italian flag. Today Pizza is globally accessible via the Pizza Restaurant with many different varieties of ingredients, varieties of bases and recipes. Pizza is one of the national foods of Italy and the Italian people.

Venice - Lovely

One of the most interesting and lovely places in the world. This sanctuary on a lagoon is virtually the same as it was six hundred years ago, which adds to the fascinating character. Venice has decayed since its heyday and is heavily touristed (there are slightly more tourists than residents), but the romantic charm remains.

Rome - St.Peter Basilica

Rome-Vatican

 The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. 

The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderna.

Engine Room Engine Watchkeeping

Engine Room

Large engines drive electrical generators that provide power for the ship's electrical systems. Large ships typically have three or more synchronized generators to ensure smooth operation. The combined output of a ship's generators is well above the actual power requirement to accommodate maintenance or the loss of one generator.

The engine room of a motor vessel typically contains several engines for different purposes. Main, or propulsion engines are used to turn the ship's propeller and move the ship through the water. They typically burn diesel oil or heavy fuel oil, and may be able to switch between the two. There are many propulsion arrangements for motor vessels, some including multiple engines, propellers, and gearboxes.

On a steamship, power for both electricity and propulsion is provided by a large boiler. Superheated steam from the boiler is used to spin powerful turbines for propulsion and turbo generators for electricity. Besides propulsion and auxiliary engines, a typical engine room contains many smaller engines, including generators, air compressors, feed pumps, and fuel pumps. Today, these machines are usually powered by small diesel engines or electric motors, but may also use low-pressure steam.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland is the capital and largest city of Ireland

According to them Dublin is derived from the Irish name Dubh Linn, meaning "black pool"

Yokohama Ship Yard

The Port of Yokohama is located on the northwestern edge of Tokyo Bay. It is a naturally blessed port with a spacious water area on the eastern side and undulated hills on the northern, western and southern sides. In addition to its natural assets, the port has been equipped with various facilities, such as inner and outer breakwaters, that protects the port from the effects of winds and tides. It also has an ample water depth.

Great Wall of China

One of the greater side of having a career as a Marine engineer, I was able to visit different places for free...

:-) especially in one of the great wonders of the world.

As you can you see, the Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups. Several walls have been built since the 5th century BC that are referred to collectively as the Great Wall, which has been rebuilt and maintained from the 5th century BC through the 16th century. One of the most famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains; the majority of the existing wall was built during the Ming Dynasty.

The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The most comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has concluded that the entire Great Wall, with all of its branches, stretches for 8,851.8 km (5,500.3 mi). This is made up of 6,259.6 km (3,889.5 mi) sections of actual wall, 359.7 km (223.5 mi) of trenches and 2,232.5 km (1,387.2 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers

I Visit Great Wall of China

One of the greater side in having a career as a Marine engineer, I was able to visit different places for free...

:-) especially in one of the great wonders of the world.

As you can you see, the Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups. Several walls have been built since the 5th century BC that are referred to collectively as the Great Wall, which has been rebuilt and maintained from the 5th century BC through the 16th century. One of the most famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains; the majority of the existing wall was built during the Ming Dynasty.

The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The most comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has concluded that the entire Great Wall, with all of its branches, stretches for 8,851.8 km (5,500.3 mi). This is made up of 6,259.6 km (3,889.5 mi) sections of actual wall, 359.7 km (223.5 mi) of trenches and 2,232.5 km (1,387.2 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers

LIfe as a Plebe PMA

FourthClass Cadets

The fourthclass cadets are the first year students. In the Academy, they are traditionally called "plebes" and are the equivalent of the college freshmen in civilian universities. The first day of plebehood starts with the Reception Ceremonies on April 1 of each year.

Then, they undergo an eight week summer training or "beast barracks" during which time they are indoctrinated with the military and cadet systems of training. During this period, the plebes form the New Cadet Battalion and their training is handled by the tactical officers and upperclass cadets forming the "Plebe Detail."

After the beast barracks, the plebes are formally accepted into the ranks of the Cadet Corps in another ceremoney called Incorporation which is held during the last week of May.

Till Death Do Us Part

“Till death do us part”, the couples say to each other. And in the Filipinos they really have to mean it.

The Philippines and the Vatican are now the only places in the world where divorce is prohibited.  Malta recently removed its ban.

Inspired by events there, a panel from the House of Representatives is meeting to try to revive a divorce bill.

St. John The Baptist Parish Taytay, Rizal

Isang matandang aklat ang nagsasaysay na noong unang panahon, ang bayan ng Taytay ay nagmula sa tatlong nayon na kilala sa tawag na Bangiag (ngayon ay Bangiad), Mabulo (ngayon ay baryo Sta. Ana) at Sampaga na ngayon ay baryo San Juan. Ang nayon ng Bangiad ang tinatahanan ng mag-anak na Ignacio de Borja at Maria Catalinaat ng kanilang tatlong anak. Sa nayon naman ng Mabul, ang kinikilalang pinakamatanda ay ang mag-asawahan nina JuanMagdalena at Francisco Sta. Ana. Ang nayon na ito na katanawan ng Cainta ay nagkaroon ng Bisita na ang naging Patron ay si Poong San Juan. Ang nayon ng Sampaga naman ay nakabaybay sa ilog sa pook ng Kalikoan.

            Ayon din sa matandang aklat na ito, si Ignacio de Borja at Juan Magdalena ay mabuting magkaibigan. Sila ay palaging nagsasanggunian sa lahat ng mga mahahalagang bagay.

           

            Isang araw ay napag usapan nila ang tungkol sa pagtatayo ng simbahan. Pagkatapos ng kanilang pagsasalimbayan at pagsasanggunian ay napagkaisahan nila na magtayo ng simbahan.

            Ang unang hakbang na ginawa nila ay pinulong ang mga tao at naging masigla naman ang pagtugon. Doon ay ipinaliwanag nila ang kanilang napagkaisahan. Sumang ayon sila at sinimulan na nga ang pagtatayo ng simbahan

            May sumasahod ng cikulo a labing dalawang kuarta (sa pananalapi sa ngayon ito ay may halagang 5 pera). Ang iba ay gumawa ng walang bayad hanggang sa malaunana ay dumating ang maraming taon at tumutulong ng walang upa. Kinalaunan ay nahawan ang kagubatan sa taluktok ng bundok. Bato ang ilalim nito at nandoon din ang malalaking puno ng Taytay. Pinutol ito at naging sangkap sa ipinapagawang simbahan.

            Noong nasa ika-limang taon na ito ay mayroon na itong pader na semento at ang taas nito ay lampas tao, kinapos na sila sa pera kayat dalawang taon din na natigil ang pagpapagawa nito. Isang araw ay humingi ng tulong ang Paring Jesuita sa magkaibigang Ignacio de Borja at Juan Magdalena. Hindi naman nagkait ng tulong ang dalawa kayat ipinagpatuloy ang pagpapagawa nito hanggang sa mayari.

            Gumamit sila ng isang lalaking kalabaw at pinangalanan nila itong Batibot. Ito ang naging taga hakot ng mga silya na inililibot sa magkabilang pader ng simbahan.

            Ang ikinabubuhay ng simbahang ito ay mula sa buwis ng lupang ipinagkaloob sa simbahan nina Maria Magdalena Maningning at Ignacio de Borja Lancon. Malalawak ang mga lupang ito kayat sa laki ng buwis ay nakapagpagawa pa ng lahat ng mga kagamitan sa simbahan.

Pan de Sal

Pan de sal is the most popular yeast-raised bread in the Philippines. Individual loaves are shaped like garrison caps due to its unique method of forming. The dough is rolled into long logs (baston) that are rolled in fine bread crumbs before being cut into individual portions with a dull dough cutter and then allowed to rise and baked on sheet pans. Its taste and texture closely resemble those of the very popular rolls of Puerto Rico called Pan de Agua and Mexico’s most popular type of bread Bolillos. 

These breads all use a lean type of dough and follow similar techniques that were learned from Spanish or Spanish-trained bakers early in their history. As in most commercially produced food items, they vary in quality to meet taste requirements and economic standards of various communities.

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Philippine Military Academy Visit

Returning to my alma mater PMA as a MAAP midshipman...

For the past 100 years, the officers training school of the Armed Forces in the Philippines has made Baguio City its home.The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) boast of a long and illustrious history of preparing only the best Filipino men (and, in recent times, women) for military service.

Located at Fort Gegorio del Pilar on Loakan Road, visitors Philippine Military Academy History, Traditions & General Information to the City of Pines are welcome to explore the grounds, view the cadets performing their drills, and explore the PMA museum and walk around its manicured grounds to see vintage tanks and other historical military weapons

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Snorkeling

2nd Engr. Cruz, Michael John 

Marine Corps Training Camp

Ternate, Cavite

                                        

Snorkeling - swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn. Use of this equipment allows the snorkeler to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.

Snorkeling is a popular recreational activity, particularly at tropical resort and scuba diving locations. The primary appeal is the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting without the complicated equipment and training required for scuba diving and it appeals to all ages because of how little effort there is, and without the exhaled bubbles of scuba-diving equipment.

Snorkeling is also employed by scuba divers when on the surface, and search and rescue teams may snorkel as part of a water-based search. It is also a means to an end in popular sports such as underwater hockey, underwater ice hockey, underwater rugby and spearfishing.

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