Third of Mom’s posts on the Orient from 1978…Philippines & its live volcanoes & fresh pineapples
“Our next destination was Manila in Philippines.
Whenever I think of Manila, I remember its beaches with dwarf coconut trees.
Usually, we were used to seeing very tall coconut trees in West Bengal.
.
“Our next destination was Manila in Philippines.
Whenever I think of Manila, I remember its beaches with dwarf coconut trees.
Usually, we were used to seeing very tall coconut trees in West Bengal.
We noticed on the roads of Manila, small mini bus types of
public transport . These had some similarity with a jeep as the exit door was
at the back. It was called ‘jeepney’. We too took a few rides on the ‘jeepney’.
public transport . These had some similarity with a jeep as the exit door was
at the back. It was called ‘jeepney’. We too took a few rides on the ‘jeepney’.
What struck me most, in Manila, were
the living volcanoes around the city. I had read about volcanoes in school. Later,
I saw volcanic eruptions on Discovery/ National Geographic channels on TV. Hot
lava coming out of volcanoes, looked as beautiful as molten gold. Though it is
a wonder of nature, people seeing it, in reality, are not that fortunate as it
destroys everything around it.
the living volcanoes around the city. I had read about volcanoes in school. Later,
I saw volcanic eruptions on Discovery/ National Geographic channels on TV. Hot
lava coming out of volcanoes, looked as beautiful as molten gold. Though it is
a wonder of nature, people seeing it, in reality, are not that fortunate as it
destroys everything around it.
We went to an elevated place like a
small hill .Going up there, we could see from far, layers and layers of white
smoke billowing out of the living volcanoes. These volcanoes, though living,
were not active i.e. they did not erupt lava followed by ash. Luckily, that day,
we could see the smoke coming out of the volcanoes as these volcanoes also
sometimes become ‘dormant’.
small hill .Going up there, we could see from far, layers and layers of white
smoke billowing out of the living volcanoes. These volcanoes, though living,
were not active i.e. they did not erupt lava followed by ash. Luckily, that day,
we could see the smoke coming out of the volcanoes as these volcanoes also
sometimes become ‘dormant’.
 |
| Sitting by a living volcano at |
Philippines
There was a beautiful restaurant on
the small hill. Many tourists, mostly Europeans and Americans, thronged to the
place to see the wonder of nature i.e. the living volcanoes.
the small hill. Many tourists, mostly Europeans and Americans, thronged to the
place to see the wonder of nature i.e. the living volcanoes.
Seeing and eating always go together.
The tourists were having vanilla ice cream in green coconuts/ daab (in
Bengali). The green coconuts were emptied of the water. Only the white thick
layer of the green coconut remained. Ice cream was served in the green coconut
to be eaten along with the soft layer of the coconut. The concept of
’daab-chingri’ (prawns cooked in green coconut) was quite unfamiliar at that
time. However, the ‘daab ice-cream’ was beyond our means as it was highly
exorbitant. Instead we had fresh, juicy pineapples, cut and sliced before our
eyes, fetched from nearby pineapple plantations .Having it was a delight in
itself.
The tourists were having vanilla ice cream in green coconuts/ daab (in
Bengali). The green coconuts were emptied of the water. Only the white thick
layer of the green coconut remained. Ice cream was served in the green coconut
to be eaten along with the soft layer of the coconut. The concept of
’daab-chingri’ (prawns cooked in green coconut) was quite unfamiliar at that
time. However, the ‘daab ice-cream’ was beyond our means as it was highly
exorbitant. Instead we had fresh, juicy pineapples, cut and sliced before our
eyes, fetched from nearby pineapple plantations .Having it was a delight in
itself.
Even after almost four decades, I am
quite shameless to admit that the craving for that ‘daab ice cream’ still
remains in my mind. Today I can easily afford a ‘daab ice-cream’ or even make
it myself. But as fate would have it, I am forbidden by my doctor to have anything
sweet. However, I do not mind it and take everything in my stride. I would,
though, request the foodies to try it out and popularize this daab- ice cream
as I have not seen any ice cream parlour serving ice cream in green coconuts.
quite shameless to admit that the craving for that ‘daab ice cream’ still
remains in my mind. Today I can easily afford a ‘daab ice-cream’ or even make
it myself. But as fate would have it, I am forbidden by my doctor to have anything
sweet. However, I do not mind it and take everything in my stride. I would,
though, request the foodies to try it out and popularize this daab- ice cream
as I have not seen any ice cream parlour serving ice cream in green coconuts.
Our journey to the East ended with our
trip to Manila. From there, we proceeded to Iran, our home away from home. As
it is usual after a long holiday, it took us some time to get adjusted to
everyday life. Especially visiting India made us home sick. But, then, time is
a great healer. We, too, very soon got entuned to the rhythm of Iranian life
and started enjoying ourselves in Iran as before.
trip to Manila. From there, we proceeded to Iran, our home away from home. As
it is usual after a long holiday, it took us some time to get adjusted to
everyday life. Especially visiting India made us home sick. But, then, time is
a great healer. We, too, very soon got entuned to the rhythm of Iranian life
and started enjoying ourselves in Iran as before.
Good bye
R.K.
KOLKATA,
1/12/2011
It's very nice to read experiences of our parents and thus I am enjoyed reading all the three pieces. You should also request your mother to write about her experience in living in Iran. Iran was so different before the revolution and it is so different now that we can't even imagine.
nice.. I love this travel blog of your mom!
she is great women!very humble n down to earth.
🙂
Hi, I am writing to you on behalf of The Viewspaper regarding a major event on Twitter. If interested, please contact us at garimao@theviewspaper.net
Regards,
Garima
thanks for your kind words Harman
here you go KL…links to the iranian posts http://www.finelychopped.net/search/label/On%20a%20Persian%20Carpet