Tourists on the move at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.
Spring may not be a season in the Philippines but it definitely means the same thing, a time of growth or development. And oh! How I just love flowers in bloom. All of these were taken at Forest Camp in Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines, not by me though. Credit goes to my colleague Doc Arman Guines for allowing me to include these shots in my collection.
Threshold – the point or level at which something begins or changes. I would like to represent threshold as that interplay between night and day, as symbolized by the lighting of this lamp. Taken at Forest Camp in Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines, we knew that the day has ended, the night has begun, when the cottage lamp was lit. We welcomed what it meant, an assurance of rest from the hectic daytime activities. And that tomorrow when we have to put out the lamp light is another threshold, another gift to enjoy a brand new day.
I’m interpreting abandoned here as being free from restraint, as abandoned inhibitions. And I look up to children as inspiration for uninhibited behavior. But the following pictures are not showcasing children at play. Rather, these are pictures of me enjoying Hong Kong Disneyland like a child could one fine day in June 2010.
Better late than… whatever! 😉
I’m not strictly following the rule of three. I just want to focus on one image, the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand, taken at three different time intervals in July 2013.
It took a lot of patience waiting for hours to witness the magnificence of the lighted temple.
This hand-carved pendant of intertwined figures catapulted my love for travel. It was my first treasured travel memento from Baguio City, Philippines in 2006 peddled by a group of fine arts students along a sidewalk in Session Road. The cord suspending it might be long gone, but I’m carrying the pendant with me all the time as a reminder of how enriching it is to discover other cultures through travel.
Hmmm… Hope I’m not too late for this photo challenge (since I can’t commit to the other writing/photo challenges, I vow to at least complete the weekly photo challenges).
Here’s for the selfie challenge…
If you travel alone, then prepare to take some selfies. Taken at the Bridge of the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, Thailand in July 2013.
The main object here is the silhouette of a person. However, as its position is inclined more to the left, it seems to be overshadowed by the blinding light of the sunrise. In effect, the sunrise also gives light to other silhouettes, that of the pump boats,rocks and ripples. Now I’m not sure which is my object. I guess you may take your pick. 😉
@Tingko Beach, Alcoy, Cebu, July 5, 2013
These are photos from my trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines in response to the juxtaposition photo challenge.
*** contrast between natural light as seen from the opening of an underground river and light from the flash of a camera inside the river cave
***contrast between solid rock and crystal water as they met to form the opening of the underground river in Sabang, Puerto Princesa
***contrast between wood and glass materials imbibing a modern rustic vibe to this gazebo at Haim Chicken Inato
***contrast of colors and decors centering on a bunch of off-white garlic at Kalui restaurant
Let me play it backward. I focus on this couple to signify the beginning of a family. It is at this stage that the institution of a family is being crafted. I took this shot, caught up with the couple’s private world as they enjoyed each other’s company against the falling waters of Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Hopefully, they will still travel as a family like the one I met traversing the old charm of the Bridge of the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Let me contrast old and new window structure along Calle Crisologo or Mena Crisologo Street, the major attraction in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. This district is filled with Spanish-style houses that evoke a bygone era. The houses are simple but lovely subjects with their red tile roofs, thick walls, huge doors, and grand staircases leading to high-ceilinged rooms and sliding capiz shell windows. One can easily imagine how romance thrived in this longed-for period.
But in keeping up the times, modern establishments sprouted along the area. The structure, and the windows, were built to imitate the dreamy, romantic vibe of the past. Think it achieved its purpose?
Well, yes, mine is not really showing a traditional window. But I’m trying to showcase a glimpse of Lantau Island in Hong Kong as seen from inside the glass panel of the Ngong Ping cable car. It was my first cable ride in June 2010, from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping Village. As with any transportation, the cable car served as my window to this beautiful island in Hong Kong.
In October 2012, I had my first experience as a solo traveler within my country. I’ve dreamed of seeing the UNESCO World Heritage Batad Rice Terraces in Batad, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines. I invited friends to backpack with me to this off-beaten path. All were interested but eventually, none could spare the time at this particular month and year. I thought of it several times then decided it wouldn’t be a problem. I would just force my courage and determination to accompany me.
Aside from witnessing the craftsmanship of the Ifugaos in building the amphitheater-like rice terraces, one is also afforded the rugged beauty of the Tappiya Falls above. Reaching the waterfall entailed an hour-plus of trekking along the terraces and up and down mountains that were visible right across the window of my rented Ifugao hut (see picture below). These two pictures depicted a beginning of one adventurous day in Batad, from the moment I woke up to the chirping birds and misty mountains outside my window to building up my excitement of splashing in the cold waters of Tappiya.
But as a whole, this solo trip marked a beginning of believing. I came to believe the possibility of going to places I’ve dreamed about by acting on this dream, not just daydreaming in the corner.
Ah-ah! My niece was not frowning. She was actually joyous, and a little bit ticklish, with her first encounter with this beautiful winged-creature. Not that she did not see a butterfly in all her 17 years. But born and reared in the city, she was only afforded a fleeting glimpse of the rare presence of this flighty insect.
Last May 2013, we were fortunate to visit the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center in Bilar, Bohol, Philippines. We were introduced to various species of butterflies and felt some of them. I envied my niece’s reaction. It seemed she can’t believe the butterflies landed at the side of her face, she had to shut out the world and just feel the moment. Afterwards, she was a bit shy, wondrous, but joyous, that she reacted towards a butterfly that way at her age.
Go Girl! We all have our moments.
“Anymore food, anyone?” asked the lone giraffe.
She (I insist, she has to be a female) was the only one left loyal after her fickle companions left us for another tourists waving leafy foods to them. She tiptoed around our safari ride, unbelieving we already were empty-handed.
Just one more peek to be sure. “Anymore food, anyone?” asked the lone giraffe.
– at Calauit Safari Park in Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines, March 2013 –
…..of imposing structures or dominant parts of a structure that define the distinctiveness of a place in the Philippines
the enormous buttresses on the sides of the Church of Saint Augustine or the commonly known Paoay Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Paoay Church is a prime example of Earthquake Baroque architecture aside from exuding Javanese architecture traced to Borobudur of Java.
Bangui windmills (or Bangui Wind Farm) in Bangui, Ilocos Nortes, Philippines. Each of these 230-feet high wind turbines, all 20 of them, is capable of producing electricity of up to the maximum capacity of 1.65 megawatt.
then I met GRANDEUR…
Ingenuity in Ordinary Settings
1> naughty dessert at Kalui in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
2> yellow-painted broomsticks as decors in Baker’s Hill, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
3> gin bottles as table stand in Ramon Homestay in Batad, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines
4> doggy-shaped seat at an eatery in Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines