First Light

All the photos posted here are shots made by an amateur photogrpaher using the automatic setting. As a newbie, manual setting is but a foreign word to me.  I've learned how to do it and make use of my camera the way pros use theirs on December 12 when my friends who are into real photography introduced it to me.

An early morning it was when the day was but freezing. We decided to roam the streets of Phitsanulok and named our photo session "First Light". It was difficult for me as i have no strong background in real photography. For me, taking photos is just a hobby and not a passion. However, upon learning that i can make dark objects appear lighter by adjusting the settings, it took my eagerness like a skyrocket.

So here are my shots with the manual settings. Not still as amazing like the pros but surely made my day lighter as i took them during the "First Light" session. Hehe....

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The Father - The Son - and The Snake

From limestone cliffs, beautiful white sand beaches, and pristine waters, El Nido in Palawan has sooo many interesting sights that can be enjoyed by everyone. Island hopping is by far the number one activity of all tourists wishing to see its beauty. From there, one can make use of a kayak, snorkling equipment, and other things related to swimming for an affordable price or even free if luck goes with you. 

Perhaps with its several amazing islands the Snake Island is one of the most popular. It is called "SNAKE ISLAND" because the sandbar that connects the two bodies of lands resemebles a snake. Last month, I had my second glimpse of the place. We were delighted to see a father and a son taking turns pressing their camera's shutter. Their eyes were full manefestation of great pleasure and amazement.

Where is the sandbar? Here you are. The last photo was taken on top of a hill overlooking the beauty in its entirety and the other surrounding islands.

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Wedding Room Decoration

Right after docking at the wharf we were greeted with drums and other native instruments of the resort's employees. Then, we were offered a welcome drink, four seasons to be in particular. After that, the front desk officer handed me a paper to sign and the key to our room. 

Upon seeing the room we were delighted honestly. It was not like other beautifuly decorated rooms i saw in the movies, or anything i fancy about that will burst a big WOW, but its simple presentation made us feel special. 

As a commoner, a hotel room of $15 short of 200 per night (rough estimate), is something i would definitely avoid, let alone be considered on my list. But we were given a one-night complimentary stay at Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa because we chose them as our wedding venue over other resorts in our province. MUCH THANKS! So here are the photos i took of our room. So simple, yet elegant in its own right!

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Missing my CHILDHOOD

" I wish to grow up fast because i want to work and earn money so i could buy things that i want".These might not be the exact words i had during my childhood days but they certainly cover its entirety. 

Life then was simple. No worries about what to eat on the next meal, no trouble of finding a work, and most of all, just being out with friends sets the world with nothing but happiness and fun related stuff. 

 

In El Nido, Palawan just as we were about to do the island hopping, I saw two kids staring at something. They seemed so engrossed in what look like a stone to me. Their curiosity attracted my attention. I can see simplicity by just looking at them. They simply made me miss my childhood. Sometimes it is fun to remember the past.

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Wings Like an Angel

When i was a kid i dreamed of becoming a bird. A bird whose wings are strong that can endure gusty winds and can fly miles and miles away. Wings which can take me to places and meet new people without spending anything because i can get through to anything for free. 

Those were the days, however, my fascination for birds are not yet lost and gone. I don't dream of becoming a bird anymore but there are times i wish i am just to know how it is to fly freely across the sky. 

So here is my tribute to the magnificent creatures we call birds. Creatures that are blessed with wings like an angel and the ability to see the world at their convenience.

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Estrella River Falls

Three days before we head off back to Bangkok me and my wifey together with our friends visited the Estrella River Falls in Narra, Palawan. I cannot recall how many times I've been there but i never get tired of paying it a visit. The coldness of its water even under the scorching heat of the sun and its beauty in the heart of the forest never ceases to amaze me.

Estrella River Falls is a perfect getaway for everyone even for kids because most of its surrounding areas are not too deep and close to cottages for close monitoring. Everybody can also use their mini grilling kitchen for free. It closes at 5pm just before the sun rests after long hours of making the day beautiful (smiles).

The entire area is rocky thus making it dangerous for people who love summersaulting; and slippery, as they are submerge in water. Aside from it being rocky and being far from the city (roughly 2 hour drive), perhaps the only complain people may raise is the road going there. It is rough to handle and may wake your precious nap once in a while as the trip gets bumpier as you come closer.


Here are the photos i took at around half past five. Yeah, it was already closed but we managed to sneak in. Yes we were bad -  but how can we refuse such beauty? 

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Route 12 Coffee Shop

"Route 12, Teacher" my students would exclaim every time i mention Khao Khor as one of the places I have been. It sounds so popular that a mere mention of the famous district would somehow mean Route 12 as well.

One of the things that can surely attract passers by is the Route 12 Coffee Shop. It looks like a Western diner with a petrol station outside. Once you step in you will hear country music being played in the background. A kind of like being in the Wild West just like the American movies.

The shop looks like nothing but a shop alone. Fact of the matter is, the shop has a restaurant, scenic spots, souvenir shop, and a few guestrooms for the tired souls who wish to rest for the night. 

Route 12 is a good stop during long trips. I probably stop if ever I come back or pass through it again.

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Flag Pole Cliff

It was in August when we first came to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. Since it was just an ocular inspection for the P'lok Pinoyz Spiritual Survival Camp, we haven't gone to its many captivating attractions. Fortunately, the officers of P'lok Pinoyz (Filipinos in Phitsanulok) decided to have it there. 

With the many beautiful spots in the park, the Flag Pole Cliff is one of my favorite. With a panoramic view and white clouds up above, standing on top of the cliff was heaven. It was such an amazing experience!

If you are into taking photos and exploring steep mountain terrain and natural beauty of a place,  Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park sounds a perfect fit. I recommend you this park as it left us good memories to reminisce.

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A Night with the Roses

One night, as I was sitting outside the gate playing with my shi-tzu puppy Jasmine, I heard a buzzing bee. I searched for it and so did she. The sun completely turned its back and so the bee made a perfect camouflaged. 

We failed to locate the exact spot of the bee. However, because the buzzing seemed very near, and the only possible location will be at the garden nearby, we checked it out.

These are the things that greeted us. I have seen these blooming roses in the mini garden outside my abode but i seldom visit nor even come near them. Sad part is, i never appreciated their beauty. It's like Wordsworth "I wandered lonely as a cloud" thingie. But not anymore. Look how beautiful they are. Can't help but take shots!

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In the Eyes of a Kid

At a first glance one would think they are real. At about several minutes of thorough scrutinizing everything will be clear that they are just a painting, at least for a kid. 

There she was, a girl of about two or three years old staring at the painting on the wall. She had a confused look. She was probably contemplating if the fish were real and if they could move. 

I need an answer. I need to be enlightened. So, I went near her and asked her what was she staring at. She responded that the fish weren't moving and that they maybe sleeping. I found her thinking rather cute.

After several minutes of still staring at the painting she gave up. She said they were not real. They did'nt move a bit. The water never had any movements either. And she walked away!

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Khao Kor Greens

I went back to Khao Kho for (I'll keep it as a secret for now) hehe. Of course the trip won't be complete if the view will be ignored. There was a cool resort with a nice landscape that can attract someone's attention located just beside the high-way and we went there.

The resort has a lot of pines that look like a margin of the small road going inside the premises. At the heart of it is a mini lake surrounded by several green thingies. Because of its wonderful scenery many people visit the resort every year. I bet this is one of the famous resorts in Khao Kor. Check out these two fellas taking shots and admiring the beauty of the resort.

Here's the resort's name written in Thai. If you can read it please translate it in English. 

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Stillness

The heavy rain is the reason why the Nan River is overflowing now. It made several schools cancelled their classes and I'm sure that more will follow soon if the rain will not stop. You can see that flood is everywhere in Thailand at the moment (see the news).

It's good to see that despite the heavy rains that causes too much flood - there is a canal at the heart of the city that looks peaceful and calm. It really is good, promise! Although the water seems getting higher as well, it does not look scary like the Nan which has a very strong current. 

These were taken mintues after the rain on that day stopped. I just got back home from work when i came to a halt and took a few shots. Notice the second picture, a man was fishing to satisfy his family's needs that day. Thanks to the canal's stillness - it made his day.

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Southeast Asian Costumes

 

The The Association of South East Asian Nation, or ASEAN, is composed of its founding fathers, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. It was established in Bangkok, Thailand on 8 August 1967. On 7 June 1984, two days before i was born, Brunei became a member. Vietnam joined in July 1995, Laos and Myanmar in July 1997, and Cambodia in April 1999, completing what is today the ASEAN Member States.

I've read somewhere, i think t'was last year, about the ASEAN curriculum being pushed by its officials to be part of each member states school system. I'm not sure  if it already came to effect. But I wish it did. It will be nice to promote Southeast Asian studies to the world. In relation to that, two weeks ago, we had an ASEAN Camp at Bangrakam Wittayasuksa School. The landmarks, culture, traditions, norms, etc, of the ASEAN had been talked and studied about. Students enjoyed each presentation - and so did we. It was fun and I learned something new again.

One of the highlights of the event was the ASEAN parade of costumes. I was really amazed how colorful our region's costumes are. Look! They just turned the dull looking gym into a colorful and rainbow like thingie. Very very colorful indeed.

Let us keep our identity and let us join hands together for peace and stability :)

 Go ASEAN Power! 


* Costumes were arranged in alphabetical order starting from Brunei to Vietnam!

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Just Like Heaven

Disclaimer: The title of the post has nothing to do with the famous movie of the same title in 2005 that starred Reese Witherspoon and Mark Rufallo :)

We were supposed to trek the little rocky and steep like hill to get to one of the famous attraction in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park after we visited the water wheel. The sun, though hidden from the clouds, signals a good weather. Little did we know that a little further from where we were standing, a thick fog was traveling fast towards us.  

We certainly knew that fog has a collection of water droplets or ice crystals that can soak us wet. Seconds later, the whole place turned hazy and we were wet all over. But because it looked as if we were in heaven, we didn't go back yet. The feeling of euphoria and being just like in heaven made us stay a bit longer. Although we were wet, regret was nowhere in sight because we let fun took control of everything. Good thing we did, i say! Because it left me with a smile on my face -  until i got back home safely.

PS: The P'lok Pinoyz, a group of Filipinos in Phitsanulok and other neighboring provinces, will hold its first "Spiritual Survival Camp" on September 3 and 4 at this very site (Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park). You have time? We'll see you there, then!

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Water Wheel

I have seen water wheels especially in a European theme movies and in other cartoon programs when i was a kid. Actually, i never knew what those things were not until i saw one yesterday. We did ocular visit at Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Nakon Thai District yesterday for our upcoming spiritual camp in September. 

One of the things we visited was the water wheel which was about 5 minute drive from the bungalows. When the driver pulled over and opened the van we heard the heavily gushing water nearby - approaching like thunder. Then, there was a sign that reads "Water Wheel". I was like - huh?

It was one gloomy day when the rain just finished pouring down the night before and we were expecting a caramel colored water. In fact, most Thai rivers in the north are caramel colored. But to our surprise the water was crystal clear and way colder than we thought.My friend said, "Nice water wheel". I was like "oh".

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