Tag: Playtime

PhotoHunt: Yellow


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sunflowersCredits:  Paper – Karen Lewis About a Boy paper – brown; Frame – Karen Lewis About a Boy shadow frame; Embellishments – Karen Lewis About a Boy stitches

Today’s theme was easy and the first thing that came to mind was the sunflower shots I took last New Years in Sagada, Mt. Province located at the Northern Part of the Philippines.  Sagada is fast becoming a tourist destination if not for the distance and the accessibility, it would have been one of  THE tourist destination sharing the stage with Boracay and Palawan.  You’ll find my earlier Sagada posts here and here .

Sunflowers are abundant in Sagada.  Growing ubiquitously in the wild, this yellow flower adds to the charm of Sagada.  It attracts birds, bees and butterflies.  Today though in other parts of the world, it is grown for food and not just for birds.  So not only is it a sight for sore eyes, it is also an important source of food.  Sunflower oil is a healthy vegetable oil and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a healthy snack and ingredients to many foods.  I particularly like sunflower seeds on my granola.

This week’s Photo Hunt theme is yellow, to join in the fun of photo scavenging, go here.

Posted on by Jenn 19

PhotoHunt: Four

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Credits:  Frame – Akiloune kit so natural cadre

Taking a 4X4 off-road jeep makes trekking Mt. Pinatubo a walk in the park.  What used to be a whole day trek requiring overnight camping in 1999 (when we first trekked this beautiful landscape) is now down to 1 hour of 4X4 ride and about 45 minutes hike to the crater lake.  A far cry eh?

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This was taken 5 years ago when the service of 4X4s already existed but still required a grueling 2 hour trek to the crater and hours of rutty ride to the jump-off.  The experience however made the journey exceptionally memorable.

In June 1991, after more than 4 centuries of slumber, this volcano erupted so violently (coupled with an unfortunate tropical storm) that its ashes covered almost the entire island of Luzon and permanently changed the landscape of Pampanga, Tarlac and Olongapo.  Hundreds of millions of dollars in prime properties and infrastructure was likewise ruined.

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The crater lake as it looked in 2004.

 Source: http://park.org/Philippines/pinatubo/ and
 http://geography.about.com/od/globalproblemsandissues/a/pinatubo.htm

This week’s Photo Hunt theme is Four.  To join the fun or enjoy more entries, please click here.

Posted on by Jenn 11

PhotoHunt: Warm

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Alas we were bound to get a heat stroke on a really warm… er… hot day until we hit this stream, our savior.  The only way to cool off is to dip into the refreshing, cool stream fully clothed.  That said, the trek to Anawangin Cove, off Zambales is a gorgeous trail of grassland interspersed with meandering streams which then progresses to an Agojo (pine-like trees) forest as it gets closer to the beach.

The theme for this week’s photohunt is warm.  To join in the fun, go ahead and click here.

Posted on by Jenn 6

PhotoHunt: Nautical

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The bow seems to be his favorite spot of the boat.  We took this motorized boat or what we call a banca from Bantayan Island to Malapascua Island, a popular dive site where thresher sharks abound.

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This boy, accompanies his dad and helps out by stirring the boat as it approaches the shore.

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This is my entry to this week’s PhotoHunt.  For have a glimpse of more photohunt entries, please visit them here.

Posted on by Jenn 5

PhotoHunt: Bridge(s)

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Red Bridge on Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi


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Hoan Kiem Lake flaunting the distinctive Huc (or red) bridge is located in the heart of the Old Quarters of Hanoi, around the lake are cute little cafes where you can just sit for hours and watch the people crossing the chaotic street.

Legend has it that Heaven sent Emperor Le Thai To a magical sword, which he used to drive out  the Chinese in Vietnam.  A golden tortoise emerged and grabbed the sword and disappeared in the lake.  Since then, the lake has beem know as Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Restored Sword).

Hoan Kiem’s life is bustling at the break of dawn as serious joggers take on the streets, paths are crowed with people doing taichi.

Posted on by Jenn 8

WS# 5: Flavored Polvorons?!

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I love polvorons and someone I work with gifted me with a box of polvorons this week.  Not just regular polvorons, mind you… but cute, flavored ones!

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They came in a long strip of box and as you slide to open, it reveals the different shapes and colors looking so delicious you can’t wait to pop them into your mouth.  Each shape is assigned a flavor.

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The flavors, you ask? …are Lavender, Rose, Cranberry and Kiwi.  Weird?  Being the adventurer that I am, it whetted my imagination and I couldn’t wait to be acquainted with these babies.  So did it measure up to my expectation? …I liked the Cranberry the most and the Lavender the least.  The latter had too much lavender essence, leaving a bad bitter after taste.  The cranberry was decent, different to say the least although I find them all a tad too sweet and I’ll stick to the regular ones for now, thank you very much!  I however, give the creator a 10 for creativity.  I think that these little babies will stand a chance if they go easy on the essences, not to overpower but to merely add hints of the flavors.

Perhaps it’s just me… you may want to try them and judge for yourself.   😉

Postres del Cielo
www.postresdelcielo.multiply.com
635-4734 / 0918-8118115
Posted on by Jenn 10

WS# 4: A Cookbook Junkie

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Sshhh… I am a cookbook junkie… don’t tell.  I used to buy (a lot) but lately have been more prudent.  I stopped going to the bookstore and if I can’t help it, I avoid the cookbook section.  You see, I don’t really have time to cook a lot.  Living alone also has its drawbacks.  It’s no fun cooking for one.   But once in a while, especially if DBF is around, I would whip up something special er… something more difficult that is, than pasta and salad, which is my staple “cooking for one” dish.

I love to eat, that’s why.  I love anything associated with food, be it a cookbook, a foodie mag, food blogs or Discovery Travel and Living.  I also have no preference, really.  I can eat street food but will not pass up a chance to go high end as well, which is more often. Hee hee.  When I travel, I always make it a point to try the local cuisine from hole-in-a-walls to classy joints.  I love discovering new cuisines and the best are usually in simple roadside eateries where the locals go.  I make it a point though to splurge on at least one dining experience before heading home.

So don’t tell about this little “cookbook” secret…

Psst… I spent the weekend learning this new trick in photoshop.  Did some cleaning as well hence this entry.  I am attempting to rid of stuff I don’t need and live more simply.  I always say that I am a minimalist at heart, I just need a bigger space. Hahaha!   😛  Have nice week ahead!

Posted on by Jenn 3

PhotoHunt: Chipped

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Chipped walls of Vat Sisaket, Vientiane, Lao PDR

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Credits:  Joyful Heart Designs: plain jane-brownish paper

Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the only temple to survive a 19th century invasion when the Siamese raged the city and forced most of its people into exile across the Mekong.  It continued to function as a monastery during the 19th century despite the depopulation.  It is the only temple to maintain its original shape albeit a partial restoration in the 1920s hence the chipped walls.

Vientiane is an ancient city and its history has been recorded largely in its temples.

Came across this meme and found it cool.  So here’s my very first attempt on photo hunting.  I was in Vientiane last year and Laos has since been one of my favorite Asian destination.  Check out other PhotoHunt entries here.

Posted on by Jenn 3

WS# 2: Pine Cones

 

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Never fails to remind me of the mountains that I love so much.  Took this shot at Lemon Pie House in Sagada 2 weeks ago, the pine cones aptly displayed on the window casement.  Simple yet artistic eh?

Credits:  JSprague frame

Posted on by Jenn 10

WS# 1: Weeds

 

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Weed:  a plant growing where it is not wanted & in competition with cultivated plants.

 If we look hard enough, we will find beauty in the ordinary, even in the unwanted.  Sometimes we just have to get down and dirty to notice it.

“When your inner eyes open, you can find immense beauty hidden within the inconsequential details of daily life.  When your inner ears open, you can hear the subtle lovely music of the universe everywhere you go.”

– Timothy Ray Miller

Posted on by Jenn 4