gapnud

Omikuji

2015-07-14T05:00:00.003+08:00

Omikuji are fortune telling paper strips that you can find in Japanese temples/shrines.

JAPANESE Shinto shrine lucky charm Omamori Strap OMIKUJI 3.6x1.4cm (1.41x0.55inch) | Framed Artwork of Wooden fortune (omikuji), prayer plaques, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shinto Shrine | Yokai Watch Yokai Omikuji Playing Card

Auckland, 2013

2015-05-21T01:07:00.003+08:00

Two years ago, I left my heart in New Zealand. I stayed with friends in Hamilton, but we visited Auckland for a day, and I could really see myself living in that charming city. It's a city one can truly relax in - with a perfect mix of skyscrapers and trees. I can't wait to go back.

Converse By John Varvatos Auckland Racer (10.5, Tarmac) | Auckland Travel Guide & Surrounding | Auckland New Zealand Sunset Skyline Shot Glass

Pandin Lake, Laguna

2013-12-13T16:38:00.001+08:00

Pandin and Yambo are twin crater lakes separated by a narrow strip of land. They are part of the Seven Lakes system in San Pablo. The lakes can be found in Brgy. San Lorenzo, San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines.

Lake Pandin is said to be "the most pristine" of the seven lakes of San Pablo

(Wikipedia)

Children playing by the beach

2013-10-18T22:46:00.002+08:00

Ironic how when we were young, we wanted to grow up fast. Now that we're older, we'd give anything to live the simple life of a child.

In a far away land...

2013-08-27T04:51:00.001+08:00

This will always be a surreal experience. I can't wait to go back to New Zealand!

Zambales: Pundaquit & Capones

2013-05-27T02:23:00.000+08:00

I've been to a lot of beaches this summer. The latest one was in Zambales. I went there with my old teammates from TCO. We visited Pundaquit and went island hopping - Capones and Anawangin.

My SLR has been broken since last year and I never got the chance to get it fixed - so the above photos were taken using a Nikon Coolpix AW100 and edited using Snapseed.

Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with GPS and Full HD 1080p Video (Orange) | Nikon COOLPIX AW110 16 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with Built-In Wi-Fi (Orange) | Transcend 32 GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card (TS32GSDHC10E)

Hate Sunburn?

2013-04-08T21:14:00.003+08:00

Sun block? This fisherman has it better, and it's much cheaper. True Pinoy ingenuity. Photo taken at Bais, Dumaguete.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 45 Twin Pack 3.0 Ounce | BurnOut SPF 30+ KIDS | Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46, 48-Gram 1.7 oz.

Colorful Lanterns

2013-03-25T16:38:00.004+08:00

This shot was taken from a Temple near Insadong St., in Seoul.

20 Chinese Sky Fly Fire Lanterns Wish Party Wedding Birthday Multi Color | 8 Assorted (DIFFERENT) Color Chinese/Japanese Paper Lanterns/lamps 8" Diameter - Just Artifacts Brand | Grasslands Road Round Multi Color Lantern 10 Patio Light Set, 9-Foot

Cherry Blossoms

2013-03-21T01:40:00.000+08:00

I used to only see this on my favorite anime and Japanese dramas. I've always wanted to see cherry blossoms (Sakura) and that's on the top of my list when I get to visit Japan. I never thought I'd see them sooner than expected - when I had the opportunity to go on a business trip to Seoul. These trees are just so majestic that you can't help but be amazed when you see them. No wonder cherry blossoms viewing is a popular past time in Japan! I want to grow these in the Philippines, if that's possible!

The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration; Creative Motion 11480-1 Cherry Blossom Light; Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

Biker

2012-04-13T14:24:00.000+08:00

Who says you can't bike while wearing a skirt? :)

The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho

2012-04-06T16:05:00.001+08:00

The Reclining Buddha's Hair

A peak at the face of the Buddha

A closer look!

The whole stretch of the Reclining Buddha

The feet.

The toes

The soles of the feet, made of Mother of Pearl

The highlight of Wat Pho is the image of the reclining Buddha which is the largest in the world. The foot indicates 108 auspicious symbols of the Buddha. - Taken from Wikipedia

Leaning Buddha LED Indoor Tabletop Fountain; Thai Wood Carving Mandalay Art - Leaning Buddha Statue; Thailand, Bangkok, Wat Pho - 24"W x 16"H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys

Temples and Towers: Wat Pho

2012-04-05T12:53:00.001+08:00

Wat Pho, one of the many Buddhist temples in Bangkok, is located right behind the Grand Palace. We went here instead of the Grand Palace because the ticket was cheaper - but we were still amazed and surprised at how big the place is. You can't really say you've been to Thailand if you don't visit one of their temples and this was it for us. We were dead tired after exploring the entire place but it was all worth it. It's really amazing how people's faith in an almighty being brings rise to a splendid structure such as this.

Wat Pho houses the Reclining Buddha / Leaning Buddha, which will be posted in a separate entry. :)

Taling Chan Floating Market

2012-04-05T01:42:00.000+08:00

When you're looking for a Floating Market within Bangkok that's not too far (at least from Khao San Road), you can visit Taling Chan Floating Market. It's a small one, just the size of one big boat, but it's full of tourists and fresh seafood!

Jumbo Prawns

Some veggies..and crunchy stuff (haha!)

Head Fish - this looked so good, we had to try it!

Tom Yum? Not sure...looks like some spicy soup.

Darl's (left) was asked to wave at the camera (there was a video shoot going on)

Since this is not really a travel blog, I won't delve into the details of how to get there. We found the place by searching the internet - so I suggest you do the same. Or wait for when I'm not lazy enough to actually create a travel blog. :)

Good to be back!

Your not so usual animals

2011-09-11T16:48:00.000+08:00

From Singapore Zoo, Singapore. :)

Visitor Attractions In Singapore, including: Sentosa, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo, Zouk(club), Pulau Ubin, Raffles Hotel, Orchard Road, ... Ann City, St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore | Visitor Attractions In Singapore, including: Sentosa, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo, Zouk (club), Pulau Ubin, Raffles Hotel, Orchard Road, ... Ann City, St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore

The Coffee Shop Series

2011-09-08T21:54:00.000+08:00

Photos taken from a coffee shop in Seoul - Tom N Tom's Coffee. :) I miss Seoul!

I LOVE Seoul CLASSIC Capitals Mug (Black, Ceramic, 11oz.) | Lonely Planet Seoul (City Travel Guide) | Seoul Searching: Culture and Identity in Contemporary Korean Cinema (Suny Series, Horizons of Cinema)

Empty street

2011-09-04T16:34:00.001+08:00

An empty street in Seoul. This is around the Sungkyunkwan University area. I miss that place!

Lonely Planet Seoul (City Travel Guide) | Korean Through English Book & Tape 2

Waiting

2011-08-30T03:32:00.000+08:00

These photos were taken at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, while waiting for our flight back to Manila. May 2010.

Kisho Kurokawa, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Opus 24) | Air Utopia: Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Airport Video-NEW | Investigations into road building practice in the tropics: A study of the compaction of earthworks at the new international airport for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (RRL report)

Boracay

2011-08-29T18:46:00.001+08:00

I'm back! Sorry for the extremely long hiatus. I had to find my inspiration. And I found it in Boracay. More pictures coming up soon! :)

Boracay - The Island Guide | Experience Boracay: a travel guide (2011) | Boracay Chair (Outdoor) by Zuo

Singapore Chinatown

2011-01-11T16:24:00.001+08:00

These are some of the pictures I took from Singapore's Chinatown. Watch out for the rest of the pics in future posts.

A Chinese Temple

Food street

Chinese Artifacts

Zhonghua wen wu ji cui: Qing wan ya ji shou cang zhan = The exquisite Chinese artifacts : collection of Ching Wan Society (Mandarin Chinese Edition)

The Jack Nicholson Collection (Chinatown / The Two Jakes)

St. Andrew's Cathedral

2010-12-28T17:51:00.001+08:00

Jesus said: "Come to me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

These are the words written at the welcome center of St. Andrew's Cathedral in Singapore.

Bibles in different languages fill the pews of the Cathedral.

The pews of the cathedral.

The ones in the middle have divisions unlike the ones we have here in the Philippines.

Practicing for mass.

Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction (Sandpiper)

Watchdog

2010-12-28T03:22:00.000+08:00

Our neighbor's dog in Dalaguete. This dog is an askal (Philippine breed - short for asong kalye or street dog). I don't know what he's looking at. The Philippine football team (Azkals) is named after this dog.

STI ED-50 Rex Plus Electronic Watchdog, Barking Dog Alarm

Christmas Bonfire

2010-12-27T22:27:00.000+08:00

The lights were out during Christmas eve so we lit a bonfire outside the house to amuse ourselves with. It was a unique way to spend Christmas! :)

Newspaper Box Lights

2010-12-27T22:23:00.000+08:00

I found these creative. Taken from Bigby's Restaurant, Ayala Terraces, Cebu City.

Four Star Canine Restaurant - Youth Light-Pink-T-Shirt Med(10-12)

Parol: Philippine Lantern

2010-12-20T20:01:00.000+08:00

The "Parol" or star-shaped lantern is a common sight during Christmas in the Philippines. This symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, which guided the three magi to the birth place of Jesus. Parols are usually made of bamboo and wax paper, lighted by a bulb inside - but these are also available in more complicated design and lighting. Personally, I like the simple parols better - just plain, but sincere and very heartwarming, especially when lit in the darkness.

Parol : Christmas Star Lantern (Artes Populares: Likhang Sining ng Bayan Series)

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-20T01:46:00.001+08:00

Hey guys! It's been a long while ey? My camera busted out on me so I wasn't able to take pictures in the past month. I have upgraded the firmware though and it's now working except for a "power" glitch. Anyhow, I am already able to take pictures so expect some uploads starting this Christmas!

These lights were taken from the Christmas Lights Show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati. I love it when they turn all the lights on. Bokeh heaven!

Happy Holidays!

Good Tidings SBC60205 G.E. String-A-Long Miniature Christmas Lights, Multi-Colored