Experience El Nido

El Nido, Palawan (Philippines) was just a name to me until last October when I finally set foot on its white sand beaches and took a dip on its cool azure waters. That one day island hopping experience was worth the five-hour trip (2 hours of which is really rough and bumpy ride) from Puerto Princesa.  Our guides took us to some of the most visited lagoons and beautiful islands in the place. We went inside a huge cave, climbed in some rough and high rock formations and took a hearty lunch in one of the islands along with other hoppers. It was an experience which I'd like to repeat over and over again.

I'm sharing to you some photos I took in our stop over at Snake Island.

Linking with:

Nature Footstep Waters

Tuesday Travels

Our World Tuesday

Watery Wednesday
Wednesday Whites

Loy Khratong Fest 2011

It's Loy Khratong season once again in Thailand and as a customary tradition for Thai people, they flock to river sites to celebrate with gaiety and vivacity.

In Phitsanulok, Nan River becomes a much beauteous hang out area as the trees on its side have been adorned with sparkling lights and giant colorful Khratong figures which are  built everywhere. On both sides of the streets are stalls of different goods - furnitures, clothes, foods, drinks, souvenier items, and even massage booths so that coming here at night is not only delightful to the locals but much more to the foreigners.

According to Thai history, Loy (means: to float) Khratong (refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water) is celebrated on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai calendar (November in the Western Calendar.) As a way to worship the footprint of the Buddha on a riverside in India, people come to float colorful khratongs in rivers. They also do this to pay respect to Chulamanee Chedi in heaven. For many Thai people, sending beautiful khratongs is also letting go of their misfortunes and welcoming good lucks in the future and also to show their gratitude to the Goddess of the Water on their plentiful use of water and ask for forgiveness in ensuing pollution. Along with these khratongs, Loy Khratong is also celebrated with fireworks and hot air lanterns.

And for many Pinoys in Thailand, it's an opportunity for us to get together, enjoy each other's company while eating, taking photographs or simply enjoying the view and the festivities of Loy Khratong.

Linking with:

Wednesday Whites

Daisies in Tagaytay

Gerbera blooms or gerbera daisies are among the most sought after flowers, which are used for decorative purposes and also as bouquets. There are different types of gerberas, that come in a wide range of colors. These disc-shaped flowers in vibrant colors are produced by ornamental plants that belong to the sunflower family, Asteraceae. Gerbera plants are natives to South America, Africa and some parts of Asia. There are around thirty wild species of gerbera and the domesticated cultivars are often found to be a cross between the South African species of Gerbera jamesonii and Gerbera viridifolia. Today, we have numerous cultivars of gerbera daisies, that vary in size, shape, colors and color combinations. (Source: Buzzle.com)

In a short trip I made with my high school classmates in Tagaytay, Philippines, I caught sight of these colorful daisies sold in the flower stalls along the highway. They come in different colors and are just perfect subject for photography. 

Varied Colors

Yellow Gerbera Daisy


Posted for:

Thinking Pink in Cebu

Before flying to Palawan last month, I had a two-day stop over in Cebu where I spent one night at my sister's home in Balamban and the next day at the big city where I met my college classmate - Maya. Being a good host, she had to be absent from her work just to spend half a day with me to be my tour guide.

We took our lunch at Ayala Center where this photo was taken. It says, "THINK PINK". I never missed the chance for this photo opportunity because I thought it would be perfect for Pink Friday meme entry.



Are you thinking pink now? Obviously I am, that's why I'm here.

Posted for:



Yummy Treats @ The Islands (Butuan)

Next to our family and friends, the other reason why it's always nice to be home is the fact that we will be treated with the palatable typical Filipino food we used to grow up with. I would say that Thai foods are really delicious but my tongue is still craving for that genuine Pinoy taste or the unique Filipino way of cooking.

You could only bet what made my short vacation last month truly grand - it's the reunion of me with the favorite foods that I have missed for a year and  half already. Even when I was in a middle of my diet routines, I had to break that to fill myself with gusto of these mouth-watering treat in The Islands at Butuan City, Philippines.

Grilled Tuna

Sea Food Treat

Calamares

Pork Chop

 

Aren't they just tempting?

King Bhumibol Dam in Tak Province

King Bhumibol Dam located at Khao Kaew Sub District, Sam Ngao District of Tak Province is by far the biggest Dam ever constructed in Thailand. This arc-gravity type of dam was constructed in 1958 and was completed in 1964 while its reservoir was completely filled in 1970. It is the first and the largest multipurpose concrete dam in the country standing at a total height of 154 m, crest length of 486 m and retention capacity of 13,462 million m3.

Upper View...

This dam which has become one of the prime tourist destinations in the Northern part of Thailand has provided great benefits to the country including electrical generation, irrigation in collaboration with the Sirikit Dam for the areas under the Greater Chao Phraya Project of 1,200,000 hectares in the wet season and 480,000 hectares in the dry season, flood mitigation of the Central Plain, inland navigation as well as prevention of sea water intrusion in the lower Chao Phraya and Tha Chin river basin.



From below...

I got the opportunity to be visit this place as this was the venue of the two-day Environment Camp sponsored by the Foreign Language Department of Buddhachinnarajpittaya School held yesterday and today (November 3 and 4). I'd say, the site is perfect for educational tours and camps because the whole area provides a huge area for varied indoor and outdoor activities. 

Cool surroundings...

The whole place is tightly secured and the rooms (for 2 persons) are good enough for 500 baht, in fact, they are quite too comfortable for camp goers. When it comes to food, they have a cozy restaurant with meals available for only 35 baht. Isn't it great?

The Campers...

Going back to this place with friends is really a very good idea and if ever P'lok Pinoyz, SNFC, SDA or the MBB of Phitsanulok is planning for some group tours in the coming holidays, TRIPZONE is recommending this natural haven in Tak Province.

 

Wednesday Whites: White Scenes @ Dos Palmas

After Joy and Pat have made their vows

At the island of Dos Palmas

Came the camera clicks

At the white sands

Under the blue skies

And the white clouds

For the White Scenes @ Dos Palmas 

Posted for:

Tuesday Travels: Underground River: Palawan

What made my second time in Palawan better than the first was that it was longer and I got to visit not only the famous Dos Palmas Resort but because I got to experience an island hopping and swimming in the crystal clear waters of El Nido plus a bonus side trip at the Municipality of Narra where the resplendent Estrella River Falls is located.

Of course, one's visit to Palawan will not be complete if without a stop at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) which is the Philippines' official entry to the 28 finalists of the Search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature. In my second navigation going inside the underground river, I also tried to capture those familiar limestone formations that has been carved by nature over the years. 

 

 

 

Please visit:

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Posted for: