Tag: History
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Holy Lands Tour: Jerusalem
Jerusalem—it’s complicated. Claimed as a capital by both Israelis and Palestinians, it holds deep religious importance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, making it a focal point of longstanding conflicts. The city is divided into East and West Jerusalem, with East Jerusalem, including the Old City, being considered by Palestinians as the capital of a future…
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Holy Lands Tour: Qasr al-Yahud
As we draw closer to the checkpoint to cross the border to the West Bank, Iad provides a bit of background and explains the security process. “This checkpoint is one of several that manage entry into the West Bank,’ he begins, keeping his tone calm and reassuring. “Just show your passports and your entry permits–the…
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A Brief Detour to Beit She’an
Iad greets us the next morning with the good news: the Ministry of Tourism has finally allowed us to conduct the baptism ceremony. The bad news: the area around the Sea of Galilee has still some vague security concerns. So instead of the baptism being held at Yardenit, we’re going to hold it at the…
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Holy Lands Tour: The Sea of Galilee’s Northwestern Shore
Early the next morning, we depart for the Sheikh Hussein Bridge, one of the main entry points for travelers moving between Jordan and Israel. The Jordan part of our tour has concluded, and we’re now heading to one of the world’s most high-tension areas. It’s an overall disconcerting feeling, although aside from a random security…
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Petra, Jordan: Inside the Rose World Wonder
The next day, we leave Amman early for Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra is a breathtaking archaeological marvel carved into Jordan’s rose-red sandstone cliffs. Once the thriving capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, an ancient Arab group who inhabited the region, Petra was a major hub along the ancient spice…
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Holy Lands Tour: Madaba and Mount Nebo
From Amman, we head south towards the King’s Highway, a winding, scenic route that threads through some of Jordan’s most beautiful landscapes. A magnificent-sounding translation of an old Hebrew term that probably only meant “main road,” the King’s Highway is a vital path for the north-south trade and the site of ancient battles. Nowadays, it’s…
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Holy Lands Tour Prologue: Amman
It is early morning, the sun already bright but the weather chilly, and I’ve just awoken to my first morning in Amman, the unassuming capital of Jordan. As I walk around the neighborhood of our hotel, cars whiz past, and I look in front of me at a coffee shop. It’s still closed, so I…
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Iloilo City: Exploring Her Past and Future Beats
From colonial churches to glass-walled buildings, a diverse cityscape defines the modern Iloilo City, all tucked in a relatively tiny space by the southern coast of Panay Island. Capital of its namesake province, Iloilo City is geared towards the future while not forgetting its past — a modern city with a traditional heartbeat. The Atis,…
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Bataan Weekend Road Trip: Mt. Samat, Balanga, and WWII History
A pre-Araw ng Kagitingan road trip with my dad leads to solemn WWII memorials, an off-the-beaten nature park, and an exploration of an oft-overlooked city. The trip serves as a reminder that courage isn’t loud, but a steady guiding force amidst all the uncertainties.
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Virac: A Primer of Catanduanes
There was a time, and not long ago, when Catanduanes to visitors was all about the surfing in a little stretch of beach in the municipality of Baras, just an hour’s drive from the capital Virac. But the least explored province in the Bicol Region has quietly grown into an invigorating destination of its own.…
The Tourist Gaze 