Summer is Over

Summer is over and school started.  Though one significant event/travel did not materialize, it was somehow replaced by other things that also make me happy: short trips and photographs.

Lam Phya Floating Market, Bang Rakam, Lam Phya

Mu Si, Nakhon Ratchasima

Na Hin Lat, Kanchanaburi

Bang Phlap, Nonthaburi

Bangkok skyscape (taken inside the car)

Burgos Circle, BGC,  Makati, Philippines

And my most awaited and treasured adventure...

White Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro

Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

Puerto Galera Pier, Oriental Mindoro

Each place has a story to tell, weaved in memory and recalled.  And when summer ends, a new season begins.  Thus, a concoction of new adventures will unfold. Enjoy your day!

A Short Visit to Manila

It was a two days visit in Manila.  I got to run some errands and then walked along Intramuros, to see some historic sights.  The next day, I went shopping for furnitures and had lunch with my best buddies.  My Google+ made this video, which I uploaded on youtube.  It's really something!

Intramuros on a Lazy Monday Afternoon

Google+ did the short clip about my lazy afternoon in Intramuros.

This is a preview as I will be making a longer clip and some writings to match.

Enjoy! 

Saturday in Manila

It was just a short visit for some errands and while I am done in a day, another day was spent tracing back childhood memories. 

From Quiapo Church where I asked for guidance 

                                  to Carriedo where I passed everyday to go back home. 

From Luneta, where we sat down and ate taho (Chinese mung bean jelly) 

                                   and to my first ever picnic with relatives at Rizal Park. 

And some photographs to the recently concluded Art Fair Philippines where I "elbowed" the rich and famous, ha,ha,ha!

Travels in 2015

To travel is to get out and see other things, not to waste time and money, but to accumulate wealth in experience and learning.  To leave one's comfort is not a sign of weakness, but that of strength to face new challenges.  To embark on a journey is not to wander, but to wonder the awesomeness of people and the world. 

Travels in 2015

To travel is to get out and see other things, not to waste time and money, but to accumulate wealth in experience and learning.  To leave one's comfort is not a sign of weakness, but that of strength to face new challenges.  To embark on a journey is not to wander, but to wonder the awesomeness of people and the world. 

Balicasag Island ( July 2012)

One of the highlights of my trip to Tagbilaran is our island hopping tour and we ended in Balicasag for snorkelling. Our snorkelling guide is simply fantastic and he was able to make us feel at home, not that we became mermaids and mermen, but we appreciated fully our short yet memorable swim under the sea. 

Feeding the fish with my friend.

I had been in numerous snorkeling dives around Thailand but my experience in Bohol cannot be compared to my expeditions in Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui or Koh Chang. This one stands out.

The variety of fish offers amazement.

There are numerous fish of different sizes and colours which truly amazes me. My former snorkeling trips were inhabited by the same coloured species. I learned that Balicasag is one protected territory.

The corals underwater are breathtaking.

I wanted to capture the colour and beauty of the underworld but my camera has limited functions. At that moment, all I can do was capture the vivid grace of the underwater in my mind.

And now for the dive!

I am now convinced that diving should be next in my itinerary, another thing to do or accomplish so that I could thoroughly enjoy nature at its best. 

Right on! What a dive!

I give my entire Balicasag trip a "thumbs-up". 

Bohol, Tagbilaran City

Just three weeks ago, I went to Bohol with two of my best buddies and it was a blast. I am posting just a little bit of what Tagbilaran is and how beautiful it is as a city. 

Our tired bodies seemingly jolted out of their weariness when we tried the meat 'hong ma' at Cafe Lawis. It is superb and what with the ambience of a garden, our lunch is one fabulous eat. 

The Hinagdanan Cave is eerie yet filled with wonder. The air inside is welcoming and the water is enticing. Though it is a great place to be, I am not going to be swimming in darkness for I am afraid of what's underneath. 

A short stop at the Muro Ami Beach means a short walk along the white sands where I found some dead jellyfish. I particularly like the varying degrees of colour from the sand up to the mountain tops.

The River Cruise with lunch is a welcome addition to a hot and humid day. The enchanting Loboc River is a wonder and the serenity of the water adds to its mystery during the day. I wonder what lurks in there at night.

The infamous Chocolate Hills where we get to see a glimpse of its majesty by climbing a set of steps at a time. Named chocolate for its colour during the summer, tourists often say it reminded them of "Kisses" chocolates.

The Bamboo Hanging Bridge is used to cross the Sipatan River and it is a great way to experience motion sickness. Hanging on the rail while crossing is not fun so better take your hands off and walk.

That's 6 out of the 500 photos we took for this trip. Go and do visit, it's more fun in the Philippines.

Leaving With Many

I was always told that I am stern and uninteresting that's why I was never invited to parties since I don't drink as well. I was speaking with a friend and he asked me if I have difficulties connecting with people. I honestly said yes but he didn't believe me. I shared my experiences in the Netherlands to a cousin of mine and he told me that I am so friendly with everyone, including strangers. Like a magnet, I meet opposites.

I visited Puerto Princesa in Palawan, a pristine island in the Philippines and I expected nothing. It was a sort of escape from the noises of the city and the burdening problems at home. It was like an escape from reality.

There were many factors that ruined my stay: late departure, miscommunication with the hotel pick-up, sorry state of my hotel room, and the bad weather. But this entry is not about my complaints, it is about the experience and the memories of the trip.

I met Mark, the trike driver who gave me a brief background of the city. Since I was alone, I dragged him for dinner and told him to stay put and he did. That was one superb dinner at Saris Barrio. I met Marissa and her school mate Virgie along with her two children Alexandre and Marie Claire. What an excellent group! I am grateful for the generosity and kindness showered by the the two children for helping me out during the snorkeling trip, as well as during the fish feeding fancy. I met Ernie, a father and former instructor who stayed put in Palawan after being in Manila since birth, and whose story is quite inspirational. I met Norris and Vincent, who became our tour guides and learned a bit of something from each. Along with the numerous trike drivers, boatmen and hotel staff, I went back home with a smile.

Being alone had some disadvantages but the richness of the trip made me see that I am not what people perceive me as stern and uninteresting. I was told the opposite. I made friends and became a different me.