ijdl - Tumblr blog

[ijdl]

Hmvh🎤🎤😇🌘

[ijdl]

Life Goals: 

Master the art of living slowly.

Live out loud.

Feel good everyday.

Stop worrying what others think and do whatever I have to do, and do it for myself.

Never depend on someone else for my mental and emotional health. 

Be so busy loving my life that I have no time for hate, regret or fear.

Create. Every single day.

Have fun. Always.

Appreciate the beauty around me.

Never compromise my standards to accommodate anyone. If they can’t live up to my expectations, it’s because they aren’t fit to. Walk away and wait for better. 

Life is for living, not stressing.

[ijdl]

[ijdl]

Early breakfast and Al-Fateh Grand Mosque

The night after surprising Ate Glicel Ann, she treated us for breakfast. :) Oh, how thoughtful my friends are! ;)

After breakfast, we stroll around Adliya to Juffair.

Then, found some sunflowers planted and I was like.... <3

I really love Bahrain....

Oh, and you of course! :)

Impromptu field trip in Al-Fateh Grand Mosque ;) 

In my 3 years stay in Bahrain, this is the first time I entered a Mosque.  I attempted many times to go there, specially during Eid Holidays (after Ramadan) where it is open for tourists.  And, 1 trivia, this is the only Mosque in Bahrain wherein Ex-pats (non-Muslims) can visit.  In addition, this is one of the largest Mosque in the world (as per our Indonesian tourist guide whom I forgot the name) and the largest in Manama, Bahrain. :)

Al-Fateh Grand Moque (also known as Al-Fateh Islamic Center) was built in 1984 until 1987 in a reclaimed land of Bahrain; it was open for public on 1988.  It was gradually built within 3-4 years because all the materials came from different countries in Europe and in India. It encompasses 6,500 square meters and have the capacity to accommodate over 7,000 worshipers at a time! Wow! Isn’t that great!? :)

Before going inside, of course women were requested to wear their traditional dresses as a sign of respect.  Hijab is the veil which covers your hair and if you prefer your whole face except the eyes; while Abaya is a simple cloak, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress for the body.  They are very strict when it comes on your clothes, like short skirts, body fitting and other liberated types.  For men, anything will do except shorts. :)

Hahaha! Before, I wonder how will I look like wearing hijab and abaya. But, yeah, be the critic ;)

I know, right! :) They say “bagay” or looks really good on me. I look like a native Malay. Oh di ba, asian na asian ang dating! ;)  I love it! :) But still, I prefer my normal self. ;)

Then Ate Glicel, she is used of wearing Abaya and Hijab because she has Bahraini boyfie. :) Did I just chikka Ate Gli’s lovelife. No. Hahaha! I am just sharing.  Bahraini guys (or most of Arabic guys) prefer girls wearing non-revealing clothes. :)  Just to share, one time Ate Gli was supposed to have a date with his boyfie. He bought her short, sexy dress and brought her to salon for hair and make up.  When they're ready to go, her boyfie brought out the Hijab and Abaya and ask her to wear them. Hahaha! Funny right? What’s the used of the sexy dress, make ups and all, when it will be behind the hijab and abaya. :D But no worries Ate Gli wore them with a heavy heart. Hahahahaha! 

Then, my man. Heart heart heart! :)

Of course, Sir Jonas :)

On that day, the Mosque was under construction...so we have photobombers but it’s okay ;)

This is the first part of the tour, the outer side of the Mosque.  Let me show you :)

But, hey, let me first introduce you to our very cheerful, bright, smart and very accommodating tour guide, (insert his name here because I forgot HUHUHU).  He is an Indonesian, student, who do part-time as a tour guide here in the Mosque.  He is very thoughtful on sharing all the ideas and every small details about the mosque. But I am so sorry, I forgot his name. -_-

So, first, he said that the architecture of Al-Fateh Grand Mosque is supposed to be like one of the Mosque in Italy; wherein it has a fountain in the center before the main entrance.  And it is in that central part of the floor.  But because of the Bahrain’s season, too hot during summer, that water fountain is a big no,no,  And also when sand storm.

The floors of the mosque are covered by Italian marble and surrounded by numerous hand blown glass lamps all made in France (our tour guide said that there were almost or more than 500 lamps in the mosque).  

Yeeeey!!! We’ve been here! :)

Anyways, we can’t wear our shoes inside and the floor was very cooollllld! 

Going inside, the second part of the tour:

Here’s the leader stays during prayer time. 

Note:  Any one can lead the prayer as long as he knows the methods of praying. 

This shows the prayer time for that day.  It changes depending on the sunrise and sunset.  Salah times refers to times when Muslims perform prayers (salah). The term is primarily used for the five daily prayers plus the Friday prayer. According to Muslim beliefs, the salat times were taught by Allah to Muhammad. Prayer times are standard for Muslims in the world, especially the fard prayer times. They depend on the condition of the Sun and geography. There are varying opinions regarding the exact salah times, the schools of Islamic thought differing in minor details. All schools agree that any given prayer cannot be performed before its stipulated time. 

Fajr (pre-dawn)

Dhuhr (midday)

Asr (afternoon)

Maghrib (sunset)

Isha'a (night)

Note: Salat for one and Salah for all 5 prayers :)

The Qibla is the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays during salat. It is fixed as the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. Most mosques contain a wall niche, known as mihrab, that indicates the Qiblah. Most multifaith prayer rooms will also contain a Qibla, although usually less standardized in appearance than one would find within a mosque 

 Note:  They don’t have any altar or sculpture inside.  That is not an altar. Actually, it echoes when the leader prays.

The carpet manufactured in Scotland with geometric patterns resembling those of the windows and the doors.  It is very soft and very comfortable especially when they kneel and bow down on praying. The quality is superb! :)

The dome of the mosque is about 40 meters (132 feet) high with a diameter of 25 meters (82 feet). It is made of fiberglass and it has twelve Iranian stained glass windows inscribed with the name of God (Allah) in Arabic.

Hanging from the dome is a large chandelier made in Austria and surrounded by numerous hand blown glass lamps all made in France (which I mentioned on the first part of the tour).

(shot from the front side, that’s the entrance doors)

(shot from the back)

They are providing Qu’ran (Koran in Tagalog).

The tour guide says that when you look straight to the lamps, it will not hurt or damage your eyesight. Magic! Hahaha! No, the quality of the interior is really superb!

Verses from the Qur’an are an active source for Islamic calligraphy and can be seen everywhere on the walls of Al-Fateh Mosque. That was it! Great, right? :)

The eye cannot miss the geometric shapes and patterns at Al-Fateh Mosque. These appear everywhere: on the marble floor, on the carpet, on the walls, on the windows and on the doors which are made of teak wood imported from India.

The majestic chandelier itself.  I was taking a picture of it on a different angle but the tour guide came beside me and told me “put your phone on the floor, in the middle position of the chandelier and have it on a timer, you will have a nice shot of it” and voila! He was right, very bright! :)

How about a picture of us on it!? :)

On the third and last part of the tour, we went on the second floor of the mosque, where he shows us how they are praying.  The prayer has 5 parts, introduction, your confession, your prayer, your plead, the closing prayer. Nakakabilib! I usually hear it when I’m inside my flat but that time I heard it on person! :)

Shot from the patterns of the wooden tweak.

Details, details details. :)

On that day, there were lots of German tourists (on cruise ship) with us. :)

Smile from us :) I was very happy and kinda fulfilled! Dati kasi dinadaanan lang namin lagi, ngayon alam ko na what’s inside. So, here are some of our photo ops inside :) I put it on the last part para di kayo maumay! :D

How about our photo-ops outside:

(There he goes again, no dull moments) Heart heart! :)

The Tourists buses :)

And, here are some of our cheesy shots as final part of my post :)

We’ll come back for sure! Special thanks for our tour guide, it wouldn’t be that great, fun and educational if not because of him! :)

[ijdl]

[ijdl]

Surprised a good friend on her birthday!

Since it was her 40th birthday, what about surprising her and let her feel she’s so loved. :)

The surprise team!

The birthday girl making her wishes! :)

Then, the visitors :)

Ay, purple party cause its her fave color :P

Then how about some games....card games ;)

And the losers were,

It was a short but super sweet and intimate night with these lovely friends. 

PS: She took all the balloons and photos! -_-

We love you Ate Glicel. Thanks for being our older sister, second mother and best friend most of the time! :)

[ijdl]

[ijdl]

[ijdl]

MORE QUOTES HERE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

[ijdl]

Take her to the place of your first date.

Chili’s in American Alley Blvd., Juffair-Bahrain

16th Monthsary on 16 December 2015

We didn’t had the chance to have a seat in the exact table we had last June 2014, so we chose the seat with the Christmas Tree view. Hehehe. :)

 After dinner, 

We had a walk going to Fun Land Bowling Centre.

You know that’s also a good thing in Bahrain, if the weather is good we can walk anywhere.  All the good places are near to be found and to try on. :)

Don’t ask, cause he has an advantage. Best bowler kaya siya lagi sa sportsfest, how can I win? Hmmmm. -_-

Then headed home.  Our kind of date, not that grand but always momentous! 

Thank you Michael, know that I always love you. :)

[ijdl]

Bahrain Day: Part II

Hello! Let’s have some lunch! ;)

As continuation of (obviously) the part I, here was our 3rd stop on that same day! :)

Zallaq Beach! This is the southernmost beach in Bahrain. It is a public beach but definitely worth a try.  Though we just had photo-ops and some stroll, cause the sea water of Bahrain is too salty (way too salty).

Had some jump shots again. (mga adik lang) :D

And, syempre some couple shots ;)

And, so the boys, di din nagpahuli ;)

Then after watching sunset, we grant Jam’s wish to have a picture in Bahrain International Circuit, where F1 race, Bahrain Air Show usually conducted.

Siya lang may picture kasi all of us have been there many times.  And bad timing, kasi Bahrain Air Show that day kaya marami tao and need ng ticket for entrance.  On normal or regular days, it is open for tourist you just have to pay, I think 500Fils (50Pesos).  So, try your luck next time Jam ;)

We drove home before 6 in the evening, because Sir Jonas flight to Manila is on 8 p.m.  Hahahaha! Humirit pa ng gala before umuwi ng Pinas for vacay. We enjoyed the day and drove (how many kilometers?) from the city.  So we agreed that from then on, we will have some spontaneous roadtrips. :)

The day isn’t over yet for us 4, after we dropped Sir Jonas, we headed to Marina Bay. Supposedly, to watch the fireworks but unluckily no fireworks scheduled that day.  They said it will be on the last day of the holiday. Sad.

So instead, we had some coffee, tea and sheesha by the bay :)

Happy National Day Bahrain!

Thanks for being my second home for the past 3 years.  Like what I am always telling my family, I started loving and embracing Bahrain itself, the people, and the culture; except the food. Hehe. I tried some Arabic or Indian cuisine but my system doesn’t accept it. Nothing beats Western and Asian food! :)

Can’t wait for 2016′s Bahrain National Day ;)

xo, Irish

[ijdl]

Bahrain Day: Part I

I’ve been in Bahrain for almost 4 years already but I haven’t had that huge chance to explore.  Maybe because before I don’t have adventurous friends whom I can drag anywhere.  But last year, 2015, I was blessed and grateful to know these people and have extraordinary trips with them.

This is a long overdue post but you know “its better to be late than never” :)

17-December-2015 Bahrain National Day with Sheesha Peeps 

Happy National Day Bahrain! :) Chinita/to eyes cause ninja moves (woke up, took a bath then went out) 

Then had a heavy breakfast in Johnny Rockets, heavy as in heavy ;)

Had some photo-ops with Kuya, our friendly server :)

And, we need to burn the calories we had... so stroll and photo-ops (AGAIN!)

They always have their solo shots, but here I am....

Then they had more solo shots....

While, us...

Hahahahaha! Not that bad, cause we got a chance to have cheesy shots. :)

Took advantage of having Mike as our photographer :) 

Second stop, Tree of Life :)  Got lost in the middle of desert, medj scary pero masaya. :)

Thanks Ate Gli for driving :)

Finally! There it is! The majestic Tree of Life! :)

The 400-year old Acacia Tree in the middle of desert without any source of water to sustain life. 

I think it is the 3rd or 4th tourist spot in Bahrain, they say almost 50,000 tourists visit this tree.  Some of them were not satisfied saying, “we had a long drive just to see this tree, a tree”, some were like “okay, now what we will do with the tree?”  But for me it is truly wondrous and majestic, imagine this tree is able to live there for so long years knowing that it has no any water source.  How great is God, right? If it is summer in Bahrain, the weather temperature reach until 55 degree.  Imagine yourself staying there under the scorching heat of the sun, will you survive? No, right. :)

Huhuhu. I forgot my sunglasses, poor me :( Kasi naman winter outfit eh!

I don’t know but I find it sweet and weird when he sniffs my armpits in front of our friends. So yeah, Ate Gli took it! -_-

The weirdos who enjoyed the jump shots :)

Time for couple photos naman ;)

(please ignore my fats) ;)

There he was, no dull moments :)

And, some solo moments ;)

They say that if you wish on the tree, your wish will come true... so i tried my luck! :) (patola)

I will come back....

Noooo, we will come back Tree of Life! :)

.....see my next post! :)

[ijdl]

[ijdl]

Realize who matters, who never did, and who always will.

- Unknown (via thelovenotebook)

  (via thelovenotebook)

[ijdl]

J

[ijdl]

[ijdl]

Forgive them

Even if they are not sorry.