GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE FLY EAST

Ayalon guests*

Israeli's are supposedly the chosen people. The mere mention of their race inspires great awe and you wonder if they fall into the stereotypical image of very conservative, robe covered people roaming in the vast dessert. NOT!

Three rabbis and two guys*

On a recent assignment organized by FLYEAST PHILIPPINES, I had the great opportunity to interact with a group of 80 Israelites who came to the country for ten days of fun.  FLYEAST is an Israeli owned and operated company based in Makati City. Their guests this time around are the top sales agents of an insurance company Ayalon. To make things interesting, Flyeast owner/operator Yoav Goran was hands-on with preparations making sure everything goes on smoothly as well as cooking up activities which the guests will experience for the very first time.

Loving couple going to crater island*

They arrived on a late afternoon flight from Hong Kong and spent the first night at the Manila Peninsula. The next day we toured them around the Metro. What's interesting about this group is that they are composed of  sales agents spanning a wide age group... and three rabbis. So, ok, they were out to have fun but they won't let the worship part just slip by.  Their tour was gonna hit a Sabbath so they came prepared. 

Heading to Taal crater*

The second day saw the two busloads of revelers en route to Taal Volcano island. Jump off point for the ferry was a simple lakeside resort in the town of Talisay, Batangas. Guests were ferried to Taal crater island on small bancas and once on the island they went up to the crater on horse-back. Crater island was full of tourists that same day so it wasn't surprising to have "traffic jams" on horses up the trail. I nearly fell off my horse on the way down when my horse bucked along the trail... ahhhh... the occupational hazards I face...

boarding the bancas*

The next day was even more fun... They were scheduled to go to Pagsanjan. Along the way they had a stop at a community along Calamba, Laguna where they were treated to trolley rides along a seldom used railway. The residents know exactly what time the trains pass along their area. They got to experience a slice of the "home along phenomena". They had refreshments of coconut water prior to the ride.The guests the boarded the bus and moved to the Pagsanjan kick off point. Guests had the time of their lives shooting the rapids. 

shooting te rapids*

We had a short stop at the Manila Peninsula prior to dinner so the guests can freshen up. What a blast they had when on the way to dinner at People's Palace in Greenbelt, we loaded them all into jeepneys. Everywhere they went, they were treated to Israeli food and for some of the guests, they had specific food requests for Kosher food. 

hamming it up*

Little did they know there was more fun in store the next day as they were taking an early flight to Boracay... I didn't tag along but judgin from the photos... I'd say it was epic...

enjoyig the beach*

*photos from Flyeast Philippines