It was excruciatingly hot that day and to take photos in the middle of the day was not fun at all. My thoughts were somewhere else like taking a dive into the pool or sleeping (haha).
But I paid for a photography workshop, so I had to make an effort at least to take good pictures or pretend. I would say that my best shots weren’t about the beach or the pools (which were really inviting at that time), but my shots of nature, people and the beach life.
Here are some of my best shots:
Taken on April 2, 2010
Notes from the Author. A common Catholic practice in the Philippines during Good Friday or “Biyernes Santo” are the religious processions. Catholics join in as the different statues of Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, St. Peter and other significant characters during the time of crucifixion of Christ are paraded across town.
This year was my first time to join a procession. It was a long and arduous walk under the summer heat, which lasted about 2 hrs and 45 mins. Truly it was a form of sacrifice. And every year, Catholics would join processions as a way of showing their devotion to Christ, Mother Mary and the saints. My relatives always join every year, and they have been walking for more than 30 years.
Central Park in Autumn of 2008
Notes from the Author. One of my favorite trips in NYC is my visit to Central Park.
Central Park is about 843 acres or 6% of Manhattan's total acreage. Practically, you would have to walk about 6 miles from North to South, or if you follow all the walking trails, about 58 miles. In short, one day isn’t enough! So, I just had a glimpse of Central Park which is fine by me, although I would love to re-visit as there is still so much to see.
For more info, visit: http://www.centralpark.com/
You can’t miss Central Park when you’re in New York. I’m pretty sure summer is beautiful, but autumn is also a nice season to be there with leaves turning red and orange.
Visited on March 2010
Notes from the Author. Catch the new Jellyfish display at the Manila Ocean Park this summer. Just got a preview today of the so-called “dancing sea fairies”. Really magical to watch.
One of the jellyfish featured was the Blubber Jellyfish. They were placed in light changing aquariums. Since the Jellyfish is a semi-transparent creature, the colored lights pass thru their skins, and the effect is amazing! (Reminds me a bit of the lava lamp.)
See the Jellyfish glow in the dark…
One of the jellyfish which I found interesting is the ‘immortal jellyfish’ because it has the ability to return to it’s juvenile stage, thus, it never dies, until it gets eaten.
Some facts about the Jellyfish: They dont’ have eyes, noses, ears or brains. They only have tiny sensors. I’m not sure whether they have the ability to feel pain or fear, because even bugs can sense fear.
Of course, the Manila Ocean Park is known for housing different aquatic animals, especially fish.
Some photos in the Oceanarium
Visit their site: http://www.manilaoceanpark.com/index.html
visited February 2010
Notes from the Author. My friend and I recently went to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Pampanga. The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is held once a year. This year was my first time to go and it was a smash! There was a big crowd doing the same thing we’re doing – taking lots and lots of pictures. (Didn’t know that a lot of Filipinos are fascinated by Hot Air Balloons.)
Hot Airballooners up in the sky. I was able to shoot this with a Panasonic Lumix 12x zoom.
Fancy Hot A ir Balloons – Turtle, Barnhouse, Sun. (The turtle was my favorite!)
Flight of the balloons at sunrise. (We had to wake up at 4:30 am and be at the site by 5:30am for the balloon flight. But it was all worth it. )
Balloons dispersing in the early morning sky at the Clark Airbase, Angeles City.
Taken at around 6:30 pm, almost dusk. This is what they call the Hot Air Balloon Night Glow.
Notes from the Author. There’s a new park in Paseo de Roxas corner Makati Ave. Actually, it is not really new as the park has been there for a long time, but it was not developed until recently. So now, the park was given a facelift, and it’s now known as the Ayala Triangle Courtyard. The nice thing about this park is it’s WIFI-ready, so you can relax in the park while you surf the net.
I haven’t seen the park at night time, but they say that it’s pretty with all the lights.
The Ayala Triangle Courtyard is adjacent to or the back of the Ayala Stock Exchange building
Visited Jan 2010
Punta Fuego Beach Resort overlooking the infinity pool and beach.
Notes from the Author. Punta Fuego is located in Nusugbu, Batangas, about a 2.5-3 hour ride from Manila.
I have visited Peninsula de Punta Fuego a couple of times already and it is still a beautiful resort to come back to. It is an exclusive resort with residential properties. To get here, you need to be a member of the club, but another way is to get your company to hold events here, as they offer corporate packages on weekdays.
Punta Fuego consists of Spanish-Mediterranean-inspired villas, a Beach Club, a Marina, a nine-hole golf course, a Country Club. They also have Basketball and Tennis courts, an infinity pool and more pools scattered around the vicinity. You can also engage in aquatic sports like jetski and banana boat – a really great place to hold your conferences, team building activities and outings.
They recently opened Terrazas de Punta Fuego which is another resort 10 minutes away from the main. The beaches on this part of Nusugbu are really nice. It has fine sand and pristine waters. They also have a nice infinity pool.
See other photos of the Peninsula de Punta Fuego
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See other photos of the Terrazas de Punta Fuego
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Visit their website for more information: www.puntafuegoresort.com
