Trip to the Island of Corregidor...

The tiny island of Corregidor lies across the entrance of Manila Bay, located some 25 miles west of Manila. Corregidor served as one of the most vital harbor defenses of Manila. It was also the last place to fall into Japanese hands during the 2nd World War. Although a small island, Corregidor is a storehouse of significant historical events.
To visit the island, tourists have to board a 100-150 seater ferry for a 1 hour trip. We selected the Sun Cruises as recommended by my Filipino friend Ambel for our visit. The ticket per adult cost 1,999 pesos which included day tour and lunch. There is provision for overnight stay at the hotel on the island which includes a night tour as well. At 7.30 on the morning of 11th April, we reported at the office of Sun Cruises located near the CCP complex in Manila. There were quite a few foreign tourists as well as some locals waiting at the lounge. Around 8 o’clock, we were asked to get into a jeepney that would take us to the ferry. We arrived at the pier within 5 minutes and found a lovely ferry waiting for us! Tashmiya took some quick snaps as always before we boarded. The interior of the ferry was quite inviting with rows of comfortable seats and a TV set in front. Since it was centrally air conditioned, we were saved from the scorching heat outside.
As the ferry set sail around 8.30, one of the tour guides welcomed the passengers and then gave a briefing about the island’s history. Later there was a short film about Corregidor and its main places of interest. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the breakfast which Simi & I had carried with us. After food, we went to the deck of the ferry and took photos. The sun was strong yet the sea breeze was cool & relaxing. By 9.30am, we could see the island at a distance. It looked pristine and green. The guide instructed all the English speaking visitors to board tramcars number 4 or 6, while the Japanese group was asked to board a different tramcar.
As we disembarked from the ferry, we saw colorful Tranvias (pre-war tramcars) waiting for us. We got into no. 6 and were welcomed by a cheerful tour guide. Once everyone settled in, the tranvia took us to the important spots inside Corregidor. Our guide carried on his running commentary which was peppered with humor and kept us in good spirits. Soon we arrived at the famous Malinta Tunnel where the Americans had taken shelter during the Japanese attack on the island. The light & sound multi-vision show inside the tunnel was an enlightening experience as we could get an idea of the pain and frustration faced by the soldiers who were hiding there. Interestingly, there was even a hospital inside the tunnel to treat the wounded soldiers. The life led by the men during the war almost came alive through the light & sound show.
Our next stop was the Corregidor Inn Hotel for an early lunch to avoid the rush of the other visitors. The hotel was an old bungalow built in English style and was on top of a hillock. So we could catch a breathtaking view of the sea & some parts of the island from there. Cool Gulaman juice welcomed us to the hotel. Lunch was a hearty one with corn soup, Pancit Canton (noodles with seafood), Chicken Adobo, stir- fried vegetables, green salad with different dressings, and fruit salad to serve our palate!!
Though we wanted to relax on the balcony of the hotel and enjoy the lovely view, the tranvia’s horn made us rush back to it. From the hotel we went to see the various gun batteries scattered along the island. The guns that still stood there were indeed massive and powerful. The brutally damaged walls of the shell storage rooms bore testimony to the ravages that the war created. There were even graffiti on some of the walls. “Keep the Japs out of here” caught my attention! Next we came to the Mile-Long barracks which had housed hundreds of American soldiers. Though partially damaged by the war, it told its own story. Near the barracks was the school where children of American military officers had studied. The official residences of the officers were also close to the barracks.
The Lighthouse is another attraction of the island. We were allowed to climb up to a certain point of the lighthouse from where we could get a clear view of the tail end of Corregidor. The island of Bataan could be also seen from the lighthouse. Several souvenir shops lined at the entrance of the lighthouse complex. Next we went to the Pacific War Memorial & Museum which is indeed a landmark of the island. The marble dome of the memorial was massive and beautiful. The museum housed arms and ammunition of the war, uniforms of soldiers, utensils, stationary used by the war officials among other items. The American flag which was hoisted on Corregidor after the defeat of the Japanese army was kept securely in a glass box. A short walk from the museum brought us to a vista point from where the Malinta tunnel and the tail of the island could be perfectly viewed.
The heat however was taking its toll on some of the people and they volunteered to stay behind on the tranvia while we came to our last spot for the day. It was the Japanese Garden with neatly trimmed trees and hedges, and a few guns as well. A unique Buddha statue with a female body (a combination of Buddha & Mother Mary, it is said) stood on one end of the garden. Taking a quick walk across the Japanese Garden, we returned to our tranvia and were taken straight back to where the ferry waited.
On boarding the ferry, we found respite in its cool air conditioned interior. We bid farewell to the beautiful the island of Corregidor as the ferry began its journey back to Manila. Truly, Corregidor is a rich storehouse of history and the visit was an enriching one for us.

Shooting the rapids! The trip to Pagsanjan

Before the arrival of our niece, Tashmiya, to Manila, we had already planned a trip to the famed Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna. On the 4th of April, we started out quite early, around 6.30 in the morning. Mifu’s classmate, Gucci was kind enough to send his van which would take us and the Chistie family to Laguna. The van being a spacious one all of us settled comfortably in it and drove off.
It took us nearly an hour and a half to reach the Riverview Resort in Pagsanjan town. Gucci’s driver had actually used a shorter route to get us there early. The staff at the resort was aware of our visit and so they immediately came to our assistance. We were told to keep our bags in the lockers and proceed to the bankas (local canoes) waiting for us. One of the resort’s staff helped us with the life vests and the helmets. It was a very sunny day & we were worried about the bad tan we would get during the banka ride. But there was no way out!
There were three bankas waiting for us and we settled into them. Mifu, Raheel & the driver were on the first boat, the Chisties on the next while Tashmiya & I sat on the last one. Most of us being non-swimmers, I whispered a silent prayer for everyone’s safety. As the boatmen oared the bankas forward, we found ourselves moving through the Pagsanjan River. There were other resorts that lined up on one side of the river while private residences lined on the opposite bank. Since it was a Sunday, many locals were also travelling across the river in private bankas. In fact, almost every family owned at least one boat. The river was an intimate part of their life as it seemed to me. As we moved further upstream, we encountered several picnic revelers enjoying themselves in the water or simply relaxing by the small bamboo sheds that stood on stilts above the water. Some of them waved at us as we passed by them. Tashmiya was busy taking pictures of the new sights that caught her attention.
Gradually, we could feel the boatmen’s struggle as they pushed the bankas through narrow passes in between huge rocks on the river. The ride now was getting more adventurous! Having left behind the picnic spots, we found ourselves amidst the green forest on both sides of the river. It was a breathtaking landscape. It was absolutely quiet except for the occasional chirping of some wild bird or the cry of a local gibbon. Interestingly, The Hollywood movie named Apocalypse Now was shot in these very locales.
We reached a resting point where our exhausted boatmen caught their breath. There was a small café that stood on a huge rock, selling soft drinks & snacks. After ten minutes or so, we got into the bankas again and were heading towards the bigger rapids near the falls. The boatmen kept telling us to hold on tightly to the sides of the boat and stay still as they heaved & pushed the bankas through the rapids. Finally, after almost an hour, we reached the actual falls.
It was a beautiful place indeed. There were already several tourists present. People can even take a raft and go directly under the cascading waters of the falls. The raft men were calling out to the tourists and soon I found Mifu & Tashmiya jumping into a raft. I watched the raft move slowly towards the falls and then it just disappeared for a few seconds. It emerged from the thunderous waters with excited shouts from the people on it. Once they were back, Mifu & Tashmiya coaxed me to experience the raft ride. After some resistance, I gave in and got into the next raft along with Raheel, Simi & Zaina. There were a couple of other ladies with kids. Raheel was looking pale with fright & I tried to make it light by showing him the other children on the raft. As we neared the water thundering down, I tightly caught hold of Raheel and asked him to keep his eyes shut and also keep his head low. I felt my breath stop for a second as we passed down the force of the pouring waters. Everyone screamed out of fright or excitement. Raheel was in tears and I wondered why I had brought him along. Before we knew it, the raft was again heading towards the falls; maybe someone wanted a second thrill. I just wished it would be over soon.
What a breath stopping experience it was! Raheel was quite amazed by where he had been since he has a fear of water. After taking some photos, we got back to our bankas. The ride on the way back was equally thrilling. The bankas moved in great speed through the rapids. However, it wasn’t very hard for the boatmen as we were going downstream. The sun meanwhile had done the damage on our exposed skin. By the time we reached the resort, we were all badly tanned.
Having taken quick showers, we headed for the lunch which was laid out nicely on the outdoor eating area of the resort. The lunch was filling and we felt quite exhausted after eating. The kids played for a while we simply lazed around before driving back to Manila.
Pagsanjan Falls, a must-see for all who visit Manila. It’s a haven for the adventurous at heart!!

PANAGBENGA 2010- BAGUIO

The city of Baguio is touted as the summer capital of the Philippines. It is located in the Benguet region of North Luzon; about 7 hours drive from Manila. Known for its cool climate, Baguio is indeed a nice getaway for those living in South Luzon which has a purely tropical weather.
Penagbenga, the annual flower festival of Philippines is held every year in Baguio throughout the month of February. People throng there from all parts of the island nation. We too decided to get a feel of the flower festival and took a trip to the country’s summer getaway.
To save time, we took an overnight journey from Manila on 5th March and reached Baguio on the morning of the 6th. It also happened to be the second last day of the festival. One of the AIM students from Baguio had made arrangements of our stay there. From the bus terminal, we headed for the Girls’ Scouts guest house where we were to put up. The lady who manages the guest house was a friendly person and saw to it that we are comfortable.
The climate of Baguio brought to mind the cool weather of Shillong! Having had a sleepless night journey, we decided to take a nap before exploring the place. It was just 7 in the morning and so the three of us dozed off in no time. By 9am, we were up and ready to take on Baguio. The SM mall was just a 5 minute walk away & we headed for it to have breakfast. Tourists were all over the place. The ambience was really festive. In front of SM, there stood a huge tiger made from flowers. Other floral floats lined up on the side of the Session Road. It was the main hub of Baguio city.
‘Session Road in Bloom’ read the signboards all over the city. That actually referred to the lines of make shift shops on Session road selling local products from various parts of Philippines. Since it was quite sunny, we decided to explore the shops in the evening. Taking a cab, we moved on to see the other tourist spots around Baguio.
The Mansion, the Presidential palace, was an impressive structure. In front were lined up a number of vintage cars – mostly mini cars like that of Mr. Bean’s! On the opposite side of the Mansion was the Wright Park. There people could wear tribal dress of the mountain province & take photos. We joined in too. Interestingly, the dress was quite similar to our Naga costumes!!
Our next destination was the Mines View Park. It was the site of ancient gold mines and one gets a breathtaking view of Baguio from there. Very much like Laitkor Peak in upper Shillong. There were souvenir shops lining up the steps of the park. Baguio t-shirts, strawberry jams, peanut butter & brittles etc. were selling like hot cakes.
The cab driver insisted that we visit the weaving factory of Baguio. So we arrived at the Easter Weaving Room which also had a big showroom besides the actual factory in the basement area. Beautiful hand woven items lay displayed but it was too pricey. I got a couple of coaster sets for some MDM friends as souvenirs from Baguio. As it was almost 2pm, we asked the driver to drop us at SM mall. There we took a quick lunch & headed back to the guest house for an afternoon siesta. The weather was too tempting to avoid that!
In the evening, the weather cooled down a lot and we made our way to Session road. A fashion show was in progress and the crowd was unbelievable. One could easily get lost in that sea of tourists. The shops seemed endless as we walked down the road. It was indeed a good chance to buy items produced in different parts of the Philippines. Since it was the last day of the festival, the shop owners were selling things at give away prices. The famous Baguio brooms, hand woven products, Benguet coffee, various edible goods (cashew & peanut brittles, jams & preserves, coco jelly, choco flakes), honey, fresh fruit – you name it, you found it there! Having strolled all the way to the other end of Session road, we decided that it would be wise to take dinner before it gets too late. So back to SM & dinner at Chowking. Some contest for ladies was going on outside the mall & there was quite a lot of noise. We walked back to the guest house around 10 o’clock.
On the morning of the 7th, we dressed up for the day and rushed to SM for breakfast. We had asked the cab driver who took us around the previous day to meet us at 9. Gulping down coffee & pancakes at Mac Donald’s, we walked back to the guest house to find the driver already there. He suggested that we see the strawberry farm at La Trinidad. So we drove off to the farm through heavy traffic. Almost 45 minutes later we were in La Trinidad. The farm was full with tourists who had a nice time plucking fresh strawberries! We joined in and Raheel really enjoyed it. Having bought some strawberries, I checked out the small souvenir shops that lined up the street.
Next we headed for PMA which took us almost an hour. The campus was a huge one and we were lucky enough to watch cadets performing the regular drills. It was surprising that so many tourists were allowed inside the campus. We walked about the place, took photos and then drove back to Baguio city. It was already 1pm and we had to catch a bus to Manila at 3.30. We left the cab near Session Road and looked for a restaurant to take lunch. The place was crowded like the previous day. Having eaten at Andok’s, we rushed back to pack our bags and get to the bus terminal in time.
The bus departed on time and then it was a tiring 7 hours journey back home. While Mifu managed to watch two movies that were played in the bus, Raheel & I tried to sleep as much as possible! Baguio during the flower festival is indeed worth a visit…

Up in the Air!

I had been watching the ads of the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon fiesta on local TV channels. It was scheduled to be held from 11 to 14 February ’10. The clips on TV were quite tempting & made me wonder if Mifu could spare time from his hectic schedule to visit Clark, the venue of the event. The airfield at Clark was the former American airbase. The place was a 2 & half hour drive from Makati.
Luckily, the class coordinator of MDM, Lyndon, decided to visit Clark for the balloon fiesta. So Mifu planned that we go with him as he knew the place well. Another lady working at AIM joined us for the trip. On the morning of 13th Feb, we met Lyndon at the lobby of AIM at 10.30. We took a cab to the Victory Liner bus terminal at Pasay. The buses ply to different places from Manila every half hour. We boarded a bus to Pampanga at around 11.30.
By 1.15pm, we were at Pampanga. I bought a burger for Raheel at the bus terminal as we weren’t sure about food at the venue. Next we took a 10 minute tricycle ride to the jeepney stand of Clark. A crowded jeepney drove us to the International airport complex of Clark.
The ambience outside the airfield was a festive one. The entry fee was a reasonable 150 pesos. Once we walked in through the crowded main gate, we got the real feel of the event. On one side of the field, fighter jets, army helicopters, combat jeeps, micro light aircrafts and even a few tanks were put on display for public. Raheel was very excited to see all the army stuff! We saw people getting into the tanks and we decided to try it too. Though I and Raheel did climb on to a tank, it was quite cramped inside with hardly enough space to move!
Soon a loudspeaker blared about the start of balloon bursting competition. We moved ahead to a spot from where we could a better view of the event. Interestingly many locals had set up portable tents all over the field. The place looked more like a huge picnic ground!!
The balloon bursting show was fun. The light aircrafts were used for this and most of the pilots could hit their targets. Next was the civilian sky diving event. Since it was quite an expensive affair, only a few foreigners participated in it. The hot air balloons were supposed to appear only at 5.30 in the evening and so we decided to explore the place for the time being. There were stalls selling everything from souvenirs to t-shirts to kites, etc. The sky looked brilliant as people flew kites of various colors and shapes. We discovered a KFC stall and took a quick lunch.
Having taken a full round of the field, we moved back to our original spot to witness the ultra light & micro light aircraft formations. The dare devil formations in the air delighted all. Next in line was the aerobatic show. Planes going topsy-turvy in the sky were fun to watch!
I was surprised to see Capt. Joy Roa moving about the airfield. I had seen him on Philippine TV a few times where he anchors an Asian travel show. Being a veteran pilot, Roa was an active organizer of the balloon fiesta. He was busy giving instructions to the pilots of the hot air balloons. As evening gradually approached, a colorful group of tribal dancers appeared on the ground. Capt. Roa announced that the hot air balloons were about to follow shortly. The local troupe of dancers was, in fact, escorting the pilots who had come from different countries. A few paragliders meanwhile moved about above us. Soon big jeeps pulled in the balloons as the people cheered. However, Roa announced that due to very high speed of wind, the balloons may not be able to float up. This dampened our spirits but we still waited & watched. The pilots were trying their best to inflate the balloons. Finally, after almost half an hour, one balloon was fully inflated and everyone cheered again. Camera flashes went on in frenzy as people captured the sight. Soon another balloon came up and then a few more! Capt. Roa said that we were lucky that the balloons could at least be inflated. A blue balloon with red hearts came up, reminding all about Valentine’s Day which incidentally falls on the next day!
Though the wind obstructed the balloons from actually rising up, yet the pilots’ efforts to inflate them for the enthusiastic spectators delighted all. As for us, it was indeed an experience to cherish….

AIM - A Melting Pot of Asian Cultures...

23rd and 24th of February 2010 marked the International Flag Raising Day and the International Cultural Nite at AIM. Early in the morning of 23rd, Mifu & Raheel went to AIM to witness the flag raising ceremony. Student representing nearly 15 countries participated. Donned in their traditional best, the flag bearers looked dignified and proud to represent their respective nations.
A band played the national anthems of each country as the flags were being hoisted. Since most of Mifu’s classmates were from various Asian countries besides the Philippines, Raheel got a chance to take photos with them in their traditional attires!
On the evening of 24th Feb, the Zen Garden at AIM wore a different look. A brightly lit up stage welcomes all for the International Cultural Nite. We reached the venue at around 6.15pm and found the last minute preparations going on the stage. Some boys in martial arts uniform moved about near the stage rehearsing their steps & Raheel was excited to see them.
The anchors for the evening were an Indian named Pritish & a Filipino girl, Kat. Both of them are MBA students and smoothly conducted the show without any hitch. In a quick welcome address, one of the professors humorously said that no one should expect cancellation of classes on the next day!
The show finally kicked off with a Judo demonstration by some students from a martial arts academy. Next came a Taekwondo demo by an AIM student. He delighted the gathering with some impressive kicks.
Once the martial arts segment was over, it was time for the Indian segment of the evening. Amidst applause & whistles (majority of AIM’s students are Indians) two sisters doing their MBA took their places on the stage for a classical dance performance. They did a Kathak recital from the movie ‘Taal’. Then followed a dance medley from Bollywood movies, old & new. The Indian students did quite a good job as they grooved to the popular filmy numbers! A Marathi folk dance as well a Bhangra dance added to the festive mood. A couple of wannabe singers belted out few Hindi songs while we helped ourselves to dinner. The Indian segment closed with a performance on A.R. Rehman’s Vande Mataram. The Indians at AIM did an impressive job indeed.
Next in line was Indonesia. There was a graceful dance recital by two MBA students which was followed songs by another two Indonesians. The anchor announced that a Pakistani item follow soon. All eyes fixed on the stage as Hafeez, Mifu’s classmate from Peshawar, moved forward. He sang a Pashtun folk song and soon most of the people were dancing to it! The MDM batch cheered Hafeez throughout since he is the only student from Pakistan. A Vietnamese song followed next and the singer was dressed in a gorgeous costume.
The Filipino segment began with one student in traditional Igorot costume sang a local number. Then entered a colorful troupe of Filipino dancers and musicians. The tribal dances that were performed resembled the Naga & Mizo dances of NE India! The musicians played melodious Spanish tunes while the female dancers in beautiful costumes moved gracefully. We got a chance to experience the diverse culture within the Philippines through the various dance performances.
Much to everyone’s surprise, the finale of the evening turned out to a fashion show! The first student-model was an Indian with a well toned body carrying a bamboo torch and wearing a silk dhoti and a silk stole. He was followed by a train of other models dressed in traditional costumes. All posed elegantly on stage and looked very much professional! After the traditional round, came the western wear. It was quite impressive as well. A stylish way to conclude the cultural nite indeed.
The event was memorable for all the students at AIM, I guess. The evening of 24th Feb brought alive the amazing cultural diversity of Asia under a single roof.

Hen. Pio del Pilar School...

Even while I was getting ready for my trip to Manila, Mifu had been contemplating about enrolling Raheel in a school there. Luckily, one of Mifu’s MDM classmates has some connections at the Makati DepEd (Education Department) and she helped us. She recommended an elementary school where it was possible to enroll Raheel.
I brought all the necessary certificates of Raheel from Guwahati. Just before the Christmas break, we visited the Pio Del Pilar School to meet the Principal. The ride took us nearly 10 to 15 minutes by a jeepney. It was quite convenient and the jeepney stops right in front of the school! No problem with the communication, I thought.
The Principal, Dr. Leticia Rosales gave us a warm reception. She showed keen interest in enrolling Raheel as a guest pupil in the kindergarten section of her school. Since Christmas was round the corner, Dr. Rosales asked us to meet her in the first week of January when the school would re-open after the holidays. She suggested that an approval letter from the Makati DepEd would make things more official. So the next day, Mifu accompanied his classmate Ms. Dals to get an approval from the secretary of Education for the enrollment of Raheel in a local school.
Classes at Pio Del Pilar resumed on 4th Jan 2010. We reached school around 11.45 and went to see the Principal. She called one of her Kindergarten teacher Ms. Luciano. Raheel is to be accommodated in her class as a guest pupil. At 12.30pm, the afternoon session began and all of us walked to Raheel’s new class. There were about 20 children between 5 – 6 years. The Principal explained to the kids that they would have a new friend from India in the class.
Raheel said a shy’ hello’ to his new classmates and they replied “hi Raheel” in chorus. We came out of the room while Ms. Luciano began to sing some rhymes to the children. Though we didn’t eat our lunch before leaving for school, I had packed tiffin for Raheel just to be on the safe side. And it worked! Both Mifu & I roamed about within the school premises, exploring the surrounding. What struck us was that despite being a government run school, each classroom had an AC. The building is a four storied one with an assembly area on the ground floor, equipped with announcement room and everything. Raheel’s class is on the ground floor. Moreover, meals (soups, macaroni or noodles), dry snack & fruit juices make rounds in all the rooms daily. Students can buy these at subsidized rates.
The Principal’s office surprised us. It is quite luxurious so to speak. Plush sofas with satin cushions, a huge dining table and expensive decorative pieces adorned the room! Impressive indeed!! We wondered about the dilapidated situation of govt. schools of Axom. Lessons to be learnt from here. Another interesting thing is that the teachers have different colored uniforms for the six days of the week! That made teaching more fun, I guess.
So began Raheel’s new learning experience in the Philippines.

Fireworks bring in 2010!!

On the last day of 2009, we decided to visit the Chinatown of Manila. The place is known as Binondo and is almost 45 minutes drive from Makati. The Chisti family also accompanied us. On reaching Binondo, the first thing which struck us was the crowded street! Leaving the cab, we walked through the narrow lanes of Chinatown. There were many shops that lined up on the pavement of Ongpi Street selling Chinese toys, electronic goods & feng shui items. The bigger shops sold beautiful Chinese crockery, towels, blankets, etc. The prices were quite high though and so I dropped the idea of shopping!
Our next stop was the old church dedicated to the first Philippine saint, Lorenzo Ruiz. It was a massive structure with beautiful paintings adorning the domed ceiling. There was even a wedding in progress when we went inside.
We headed for a restaurant as it was already lunch hour. I ordered Pancit Canton (noodles) with beef satay while Mifu opted for Beef ampalaya with rice. When we enquired about ampalaya, the waitress informed that it’s a green vegetable. Mifu looked awful when his dish was finally served. It turned out to be a preparation of beef in ampalaya (bitter gourd or karela) gravy!! So I had to share my pancit canton with Mifu since he detested karela. When I tasted it, it wasn’t all that bad.
After lunch, we drove down to the Manila Zoo as the kids were showing signs of boredom in Chinatown. Interestingly, there weren’t too many animals there. An elephant, a couple of huge pythons, some colorful macaws, monkeys and different species of birds were all that made up Manila zoo! The kids enjoyed the play area more than watching the few animals while we sipped coffee near the artificial lake at the zoo. By 6 o’clock, we rode a jeepney back home. We already had a plan to meet the Chistis for dinner at their place.
Having enjoyed a hearty meal, not to forget the ready- to- eat turkey which Zahid ka had bought, all of us took a walk towards the Greenbelt complex to find out if any special New Year programme was on. To our surprise, the place looked deserted except for a few young people loitering about. Mifu suggested that we go back to our building as we were told that there would be fireworks at midnight. The Chistis came along as well & all of us moved up to the terrace garden on the 30th floor! Many people living in our building were already at the terrace waiting for the firework display. And what a sight it was. Simply brilliant! The Manila sky lit up with amazing displays of crackling firework exactly as the clock struck 12 & it went on for almost an hour. People on the terrace cheered and greeted each other. Later we came back to our unit and Mifu logged on Skype to wish folks in Guwahati.. Though this New Year eve was a different experience, yet we did miss the family get together, Ma’s pulao and the bonfire back home!!