Shielah Mae's blog

Pure Life

Attendend the Pure Life Conference in NYC Empowering Women to Live their Dreams. 9.26.2009. This was a wonderful time to meet up with friends and listen to women who have lived out their dreams. It was also an opportunity for friends to spend some time in the city and walk around and just enjoy the weather.

 

Hostal Valhalla

 

MACHACHI

 

 

COTOPAXI

Around Quito

 On our second day in Quito we decided to take a tour of the city hired a taxi driver for the whole day from 10-6pm for $100.00 dollars which wasn't bad at all considering the amount of time we had him for. First stop was at a restaurant called La Choza ordering was a challege all in itself due to language barrier. Good thing I spoke a little just enough to get us by but as far as having conversation with people that was a different story. After our filling lunch we went to Mitad del Mundo a monument which mark where the equator was thought to pass through the country at the time. However, its about 240 meters away from the actual true equator thanks to the GPS which madeit possible to precisely determine its location. Aside from the monument we also decided to go to the crater where its been inhabited by people.

• Virgin of El Panecillio
• La Basilica Iglesia
• La Ronda Street

 Met with some friends in Quito that showed us around the city.

First Night In Quito

 

Our first night in Quito meeting new friends, having some drinks and playing foozball 

Go SUSHI

Attended MSNY today and afterwards spent time with friends to eat out at Go Sushi.

 

Ecuador Itinerary!

Ecuadormap

August 5 to August 23 - 19 days

HERE'S THE ITINERARY FOR ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS.

Thanks Yen for arranging the trip -= ) I started packing my things yesterday but for some reason I still feel like I'm forgetting something. Just gotta make sure I have all the important things. Just in case something happens people can look at this for reference to pin point where we are. Always a good thing to have a plan so your family won't be worried -= )

• August 5th – Leave LGA at 10:40am and arrive at UIO at 6:35pm. Visit Plaza Santo Domingo, San Francisco Plaza and Plaza Grande in Old Town Quito. Alt: 8400ft Staying at Hostel Arco Del Sol

• August 6th – Tour Ciudad Mitad del Mundo (Center of the World) an hour north of Quito. Visit Museo Nacional Del Banco Central Del Ecuador, walking distance from hostel, but close at 5pm. Vist Iglesia De Guapulo (Most beautiful church in Quito). Staying at Hostel Arco Del Sol

• August 7th –Meet at Moggely, have tea and go through equipment. When ready, head south to Valhalla and have early lunch. Acclimatization 10500ft to 12600ft, wonder around. Staying at Hostel Valhalla

• August 8th – Acclimatization 10500ft to 12600ft, Go into Machachi (largest street market in Ecuador). Staying at Hostel Valhalla

• August 9th – Drive up to 13,800ft and park, get your asses out of the transport and hike up to Jose Ribas Refuge at 14,400ft. Unload your shit and get glacier training then have dinner about 6-7pm. Staying at Hostel Valhalla

• August 10th – Wake up at midnight and get MOVING! Ascending time will be 5-8 hours and descending will be 3 hours down. Hike our asses back to car and back to Quito we go to rest. Will leave all climbing gear with Moggely and collect after we come back from Galapagos. Staying at Hostel Arco Del Sol

• August 11th – Catch the 7:30am flight with http://www.tame.com.ec and arrive at Galapagos at 9:45. Catch a bus to the port and take a ferry across the channel then catch a cab to Puerto Ayora. Wonder around in Santa Cruz. Staying at Hotel Gardner

• August 12th – Take the West trail and go to Tunel del Mirador. Vist the El Chato Tortoise Reserve. Go to the Los Gemelos. FULL DAY!!!! Need lots of energy. Staying at Hotel Gardner

• August 13th – Visit Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove). Charles Darwin Research Station. Tortuga Bay, Lagunas Las Ninfas. Staying at Hotel Gardner

• August 14th – Take speedboat to Isabela, about 2 hours, Upon arrival at dock, expect to move to housing. There will be the distribution of rooms and recognition of facilities that are at your disposal. The remains of the afternoon, visit the Centre for Raising Turtles, "Arnaldo Tupiza," here you can see the tortoises of various species and sizes in captivity, in a very comfortable and attractive view for tourists. This visit was conducted in an enjoyable walk alongmangrove trails watching birds, accompanied by a guide. Staying at Cormorant Hotel

• August 15th – In the morning, visit to Sierra Negra volcano, the second in the world for its huge crater (11 km. Diameter) and Chico Volcano with fumaroles in activity and a landscape similar to the Moon, the trip is by vehicle to the area known as "El Cura", and then travel by horse about 1 hour. This tour is assisted by a arriero and accompanying guide. Return. Free afternoon. Will stay at Cormorant Hotel

• August 16th – In the morning, we'll pick you up towards the Wall of Tears (5 km. Of the population), that are ruins and remnants of the detention centre that functioned in the decade of 50 of the last century, is an enormous construction of stone, built by the convicts, who impressed both friends and strangers; return watching endemic flora and fauna.
In the afternoon, the guide will pick you up to perform a short boat navigation (Tour de Bahia) to Loberias Grande / Chica and blue sharks: a deep ravine, site of one of the favorite species of sharks (blue sharks), which then wanders the ocean, coming to rest. At this site you may also see sea lions, penguins, blue-legged boobies, iguanas, among others. At this place you may make snorkeling. Will stay at Cormorant Hotel

• August 17th – In the morning transfer to "Camp Drive ', this houses giant tortoises in their natural state. Then visit to the tunnels of St. Thomas and the viewpoint of El Mango, providing a barbecue, courtesy of Sierra Negra Xpeditions.
In the afternoon, return to Pto. Villamil, if we have time, we'll take off to the place called Concha de Perla to conduct snorkeling, it is a little bay with deep water, calm and transparent that will allow you to observe the fascinating marine life in Galapagos. If you're lucky, you can even swim with sea lions and penguins. Will stay at Cormorant Hotel

• August 18th – Breakfast. Find a place to scuba and relax for a day. Staying at Cormorant Hotel

• August 19th – Take speed boat back to Stanta Cruz. Take day trip to North Seymour, Baltra or go back to hostel first then wonder around locally. Staying at Hotel Gardner

• August 20th – Take day trip to South Plaza, Baltra. Staying at Hotel Gardner

• August 21th – Try and book a day trip to Espanola or Floreana. Staying at Hotel Gardner

• August 22nd – Take 10:50am flight back to Quito and arrive about 1pm. Visit Parque El Ejido (hand craft market). Take a trip to Papallacta (Hot springs). Staying at Hostel Arco Del Sol

• August 23rd - Take 6:20am flight back to LGA and arrive 7pm

Cost:
• American Airline - $581
• Cotopaxi Climb - $235
• Hostel Arco Del Sol (3) - $75/$25 per night
• Hostel Valhalla (3) - $75/$25 per night
• TAME - $382
• Galapagos Entrance Fee - $100
• Cormorant Hotel (5) - $190/$37.50 per night
• Speedboat (2) - $60/$30 per ride
• Hotel Gardner (6) - $135/$22.50 per night
• Tours - $600
• Total: ~$2400

Resources
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Hotels/Hostels:
Quito - Hostel Arco Del Sol: http://www.hostalarcodelsol.com
Valhalla - Hostel Valhalla: http://www.hostelvalhalla.com
Isabela - Cormorant Hotel: http://www.tours-galapagos.com
Santa Cruz - Hotel Gardner: http://www.hotelgardnergalapagos.com

Galapagos Flight:
http://www.tame.com.ec
Reservation #2OQJQ
Spoke with Christian on 3/2 @ (593) 5 2526527
Spoke with Stephanie on 4/8 for adding Joanne's reservation

----------------------------------------------
http://www.emetebe.com.ec
http://www.icaro.aero/
https://www.aerogal.com.ec
----------------------------------------------
Climbing:
http://www.moggely.com/Climbing/climbing.htm

Diving:
http://www.galapaguide.com/galapagos_diving.htm
http://www.wannadive.net/spot/South_America/Ecuador/Galapagos/Isabela_Island/index.html
http://www.scubaiguana.com/html/_Day_Diving_Tours.html

References:
http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/
http://www.baseneelco.nl/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=197
http://www.galapagos-travel-advisor.com/
http://www.galapaguide.com/movilizacion_islas_galapagos.html
http://www.termaspapallacta.com/index.htm
http://www.studiodentaire.com/studio/en/view.php?country=ecuador&photo_id=ecuador_001

Wondering NYC

I wondered around NYC well basically mostly around Union Square. I sat in the grass in the park and read a good book just letting the time passed me by and took some pictures of vendors with their artsy creations.

Ladies QT

 

 

Decided to go to QT with girls from MSNY in Hoboken. Yen picked up Arra and Tracie and he decided to just drive us all the way to Hoboken rather than for us to take the train. He understood I'm not much of a public transportation type of person.

Spending time with them was quite refreshing its always nice to talk to friends about things that are going on with your life. We had a purple book reading talked about God's message. I know I'm not there spiritually but its always a start.

Gotta thank the thoughfulness of  Rheena and Joi for the cake. I appreciate them remembering my birthday!! Love you guys

Feliz Compleanos

My Birthday! Thanks to Mom and Dad for cooking. There was even fireworks. Sigh.. -= )

Tatay 80th Birthday...

Tatay 80th Birthday

There are people in your life that you can't help but be thankful for. That person is my grandfather which we all call "Tatay." He will be turning 80 this year one can only hope to live that long and be as blissful as he is. 

 

I wanted to let you in on Tatay's underprivileged beginning. Tatay was born in Maasin Leyte on July 27, 2009 to Francisca Jovita and Lucio Panal. He was one of nine children which comprised of 4 girls and 5 boys whose names are; Dafroso Panal, Maria Panal Marte, Florencio Panal, GENARO PANAL, Antonia Panal Gabiola,  Delfin Panal,  Azuncion Panal Botero,  Ireneo Panal, and Eunela Panal Marte. Everyone got all that? There were a lot of them this explains his playfulness.

 

Growing up in Maasin Tatay enjoyed picking fruits with his siblings such as lanzones, guava, and tambis. He also enjoyed playing softball with the other kids. Coming from a poor family Tatay had to work hard as a student and had to be self supporting just to finish high school. He attended Maasin Institute first year of high school then moved to Cebu to continue his studies at University of Visayas while at the same time working for his cousin who was married to Rojas family as a houseboy. Since there was no financial support to go college he then went on to do other things in where he can provide for himself and went on to become a farmer. As time passed by he then met Nanay and courted her by giving her flowers as she passed by. He was lured by her beauty as well as her good manners. He visited Nanay everyday and brought her flowers until she couldn’t resist his charms. They then got married and had four beautiful children and you know who you are; Maribel, Estella, Romeo and Jocelyn.

 

Despite the hardships of life Tatay had many accomplishments. He was named Best Boy Scout in Maasin Institute, National Awardee for Agrarian Reform Beneficiary, Best Farmer of the year Region II in 1974-1975 and got a hand shake from former president Marcos to name a few. But the greatest achievement that he is proud of is having four successful children and having beautiful grandchildren.

 

Since I could remember tatay was always enthusiastic and encourageable, I don't recall him ever being sad. Whenever I feel despondent Tatay always seem to find a way to make me feel better.  His a  wonderful being and God has truly blessed us with his presence. So Happy Birthday, We love you and we are all thankful to have you as part of our lives.

 

 

Nanay’s Message to Tatay.

            “Stay the way you are. Loyal, hard worker, honest, helpful, dependable, and God Fearing I enjoyed every moment we shared together. I love you and hope we will have more years to share. I’m grateful to God to all the blessing we received.”

 

Message from Tatay to all his Apo

            “Be good to your parents, be obedient to them. Pray all the time and make God the Center of everything you do. Work hard to be successful. Be happy and Enjoy Life.”