Sunsets & Sunrises

Sunsets & Sunrises always reminds me of the song 'Closing Time - Semisonic' in one of Mila Kunis' movies, 'Friends With Benefits'. 

"Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." ♫

Yeah, I was a bit (absolutely) busy with med stuffs, I thought I forgot about this blog because of too much errands and demands of going into medical school. It's kinda' hard. Hard was an understatement! I am currently waiting for the results of my finals and hopefully, I get into second year this year. Just want to share some of the picture I took during my travels in the past several years, I'm planning have it printed and put these pictures in my wall. 

Where everyone's (including couples) waiting for the sun to set.  My favorite city! (Paris, France - 2011)

Nothing special in this photo, really. I don't know, I was just fascinated with this place. (Barcelona, Spain - 2010)

The photo is not that clear. I'm truly amazed with God's creation! (Tuba, Benguet, Philippines - 2011)

 

The island where you can do soul-searching, peace of mind and you'll be truly relaxed. (Burgos, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines - 2010)

I can't deny that I always astounded by the beauty of the sea of cloud above the sky! (Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia - 2011) 

This has to be the perfect paradise for me. (Bucas Grande, Surigao del Norte, Philippines - 2012)
 

Awed by the serenity of this place! (Lake Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland - 2011)

 

That supposed-to-be-photoshoot. This couple in the picture is really cool! (Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines - 2012)

Calm! (Seaside, Roxas Boulevard, Manila - 2011)

Definitely one of my favorite sunrise ever. Relaxing! (Lanuza, Surigao del Norte, Philippines - 2012)

 

This is my favorite sunset with the silhouette of the two young girls (Mabini, Batangas, Philippines - 2010) 

 

My aunt & uncle was sitting near the bay. Almost an accidental shot. (Manila Bay, Roxas Boulevard, Manila - 2011)

 

After going through and roaming around the church with my sister, I took a shot outside! (Sant-Chapelle, Paris, France - 2010)

 

Up north! This trip was spontaneous one. With High school friends! (Santiago Beach, Ilocos Sur, Philippines - 2011) 

 

What you see in the picture is a large tobacco plantation. (Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur, Philippines - 2011)

 

Another overnight memorable trip with family and cousins. (Subic, Zambales, Philippines - 2011)

 

I always get amused whenever I go to theme/amusement parks. (Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines - 2009)

 

This is actually shot at the top of the mountain in a mining area (Tuba, Benguet, Philippines - 2011)

“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.”                                                                                                                                                        

― Jo Walton                                            

The kid who is always amazed with sunsets & sunrises,

Aaron.

7 Ways To Survive Long Flights

Being on board for about one (1) hour or two (2) is good, but after that?... It kills us... to boredom. Many of us don't like staring at those back seat screens with flight map on it. It's terrifying! Btw, I just survived a long flight from Manila to Abu Dhabi for about nine (9) hours from Manila, then, another connecting flight from Abu Dhabi to Milan for six (6) straight long hours to get to my final destination which happen to be in Italy. So, let me share to you guys my own seven (7) ways to survive long (terrifying) flights (these tips are quite effective for me).

Travel.

7. Use your camera. (I always bring my camera whenever I go to a certain place or another. I capture everything. Except those in immigration. Take note: It's prohibited to use camera in immigration's. I saw a woman being scolded by an immigration officer for taking photos of the immigration office in Sabah, Malaysia. Never use camera in immigrations. Moving on. So, I use my camera whenever I'm in the airport waiting for flights, documenting my meal at the plane and capturing one of my favorite thing in this world. The sea of clouds above the skies. I use my camera to capture everything. Anyway, it's my hobby.)

Yes. I capture everything.

When I say everything. I mean it. Haha. Yes, even my shoes. This was taken in Abu Dhabi International Airport.

That. Sea of clouds.

6. Get to know new people. (This may be awkward to some of you guys, but, yeah. this can sometimes be a good good way to kill boredom and meet new friends. Be approachable. Get to know your airplane seatmates, or some people in the gate before the boarding. I met some few good people before, during long flights whom I treasure until now. When I was a little bit younger, whenever I travel, I always accompanied and taken care of by some stewardess and airplane crews. The good thing that time is that I always met cool people at my age. During my flight to back to Manila, I met Steffi, we met when I was 13. And, she was 14 then, I think. The wrong pronunciation of Chinese ground steward of my name *read with a hard tongue* 'ehy-rown-dah' instead of, Aaron Dave, that is written - misspelled on the boarding pass; led us to become friends, along with others. Yeah, you can also gain friends through long flights.)

Steffi. Photo from her fb. Haha. (Hindi ako nakapagpaalam.)

5. Play games. In-flight games. (This might be too child-ish but, it's effective to kill boredom. I sometimes play interactive in-flight games such as bejeweled, hangman, ect. This is sometime quite entertaining too.)

Photo by: Arcade Playa

4. Listen to music. Good music. (There is available in-flight music - entertainment sometimes in the airline. Also, your iPod, mp3, ect. would be a good friend during long flights. It's necessary when you're into music.)

Good music. Photo by: Anya Clowers Jet With Kids, 7 Tips for In-flight Entertainment.

3. Write your travel plans. (If you're not a fan of plans, it's ok.  I just did it twice the last time I got bored from a long fourteen (14) hours flight from Manila to Amsterdam. And, this recent long flight from Manila to Abu Dhabi. I sometimes don't do this too. I just let things happen and follow where my feet takes me.)

PLAN-e. Haha. Plans.

2. Watch in-flight movies. (If it's available. Usually this is available in airline that offers long flights internationally.)

In-flight movies.

2. Bring and read books. (I prefer travel books. Novels are my second. If you finished this books, you can browse also the in-flight magazines.)

In-flight magazines sometimes has information about the place where your are going.

In-flight magazines.

Novel.

While waiting for the boarding.

1. Think. Just think about things that is going through your life and what will happen next. (This is what I usually do after getting bored watching those in-flight movies and after getting and itchy eyes reading books. Think about random things, like your plans, goals, dreams, dream big. And, Pray.)

Think. With this astounding view.

The kid who has love and hate relationship with long flights,
Aaron.

Sky Lanterns: 11.11.11 at 11:11 PM (Pasig, Philippines)

When I first heard of this event, one thing that flashed to my mind is the article that I've read about the sky lantern festival in Chang Mai, Thailand (Northern Thailand) that originally and traditionally used there, also last week, I saw the Lonely Planet Guide Book, Thailand at National Bookstore also that it covers the lantern.

That night was a blast. Went to Banchetto in Megatent, Ortigas Center, Pasig City with some college friends. Went there to try the foodtripping they offer. The food was a little bit pricey compared to the normal price of goods outside, but not much. Let's say the Isaw (Chicken Intestines) on stick costs 25 pesos /per stick. The juice on plastic cups costs 30 pesos. It's actually my first time at Banchetto. Heard many good feed-backs about Banchetto from some of my friends back in highschool. We went there actually to see the said Sky Lantern - Wishing Lantern"Event" which you can put your wishes on a wishing paper and you can attach it with the lantern; they will light up all of the 1,000 lanterns altogether at exactly 11:11 PM in the same date, 11.11.11 which happens once in a lifetime. Unfortunately, the said event was cancelled due to some 'safety reasons' daw. But, yeah. they lighted up one sky lantern for testing and for media exposure.

One of few sky lanterns they light up.

An, it goes up. The normal sky lantern goes up to maximum limit of 500 meters, as they said.

Food-tripping, puto bumbong, anyone?

Tired. The whole group, except me. L-R: Karla (Lovely's cousin), Lovely, Lesyl, Frenniel, Marx and Mik.

Went to Metrowalk after, chilled at Starbucks. Banchetto is full-packed that night.

There's this one group who light up their sky lanterns at the parking lot near Banchetto.

Capturing low lightning shots is hard, you know? Haha. Forgive me, I didn't brought my tripod.

Yeah. With flash on.

It's magical when you see these lanterns up above the skies.

Went to Starbucks Metrowalk after 11:11 PM.

Those wiring-look-like is actually sky lanterns, it's magical.

Mikhail and I, look at the crowd at our back.

Yeah! Sky lanterns. Up close.

Tired. 

Exhausted. Going home that time. 

The kid who appreciates the sky lanterns when together above the skies,
Aaron.

Lost in The Mountains (Benguet, Philippines)

It was an unplanned trip. Last minute talks, last minute decisions, it was all planned the night before we depart from Manila. It was 4 years ago since I last went to Baguio for a field trip, I guess. This time, the mountainous Benguet is our final destination, I was with my High School friends, it was my good friend, Bryan's treat. No expenses. No cash-out's, only the 340 pesos discounted bus fare onward. Luckily, I was able to come with them. (October 31-November 03, 2011)

On our way to Tuba, Benguet. Philex Mining Corporation.

We arrived at Philex Mining Corporation at about 6:00PM, we decided to just roam around the whole town.

Boy's room. Our rooms are separated with girls. Good morning!

We're off to Baguio City. Our place in Benguet is an hour drive from city proper.  We enjoyed the road trip!

Fresh air. Breath-taking scenery. Good people. Priceless experience.

Forgive the shot. My lens is broke that time. No auto focusing. Yeah! We're in a mining site.

After an hour drive to Baguio City, our first stop was "Bell Temple" in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Yeah! My good friends, Bry and Roice. 

The Bell Temple. This place reflects Chinese culture and history.

Bell Church & Temple Entrance. Sacred place.

Going up. We reached the top.

The last temple at the top. This place has a rich Chinese culture and tradition.

Notice the two dragons at the entrance. 

Trying our Chinese 'Kung fu' inspired poses.

Went to Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club. This is located somewhere there. Statue of Liberty's replica.

Burnham park. Rate: 100 pesos for 30 minutes. 

Bry is the photographer + paddler. 

This is the man-made lake with rowboats.

The park beside the man-made lake.

Had lunch at Jack's Restaurant. Bought some street foods, Isaw (Chicken Intestines), Binatog (Boiled Corn) and Suha (Pomelo) 

At around 5:00PM, we headed back to Benguet. Arrived at Philex after an hour. Had dinner, bought some cold beers. The only available beer at the store near Bry's house is San Miguel Pale Pilsen. It was actually my first time to try that beer, it was quite bitter than the usual San Mig Light. Tita Grace (Bry's Mom) prepared some pulutan for us. Anyway, ice is not uso in Benguet.

"Heart's all over the world tonight." With You (Chris Brown) Unexpected shot!

Taco's, Tofu and Beers. The best!

Pepperoni Pizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaa.

Played different card games. Pusoy dos, pequa, ect. Consequences to losers. 

Pequa, Kings was also played. We enjoyed that game.

This is the result of that consequences.

DANGER!

Overlooking, Lingayen Gulf. The skies is touching the mountains. Breath-taking!

Morning jogging?

Peace, yo! We're chillaxin' after a long sleep.

After lunch, We went to the plaza. There's an on-going event there. Philex corporation invited Talk 'n Text PBA players. We decided to go trek first. Hiking, eh?

This was taken somewhere at the top of the mountains. Pine trees all over.

Up, up, here we go, go, up, up here we go, go.

Yeah! Preparing for a trek?

Nice outfit, Roice. Never thought you're gonna trek with that bag.

Watch out. Falling rocks.

What are you doing there, Aaron? Join them.

First few attempts to trek. 

Best view. Philex dam.

How to do that?

Priceless!

Beautiful skies.

Peace again, yo. 

On our way down. We weren't that exhausted. Thanks to Benguet's climate.

Idol Alapag. With Janie and Roice.

We played tennis after. Nice move, Bry. 

What am I doing? Hahaha.

Then, Billiards after. Hahaha. Sexy ni Roice.

Bry, Janie and I.

Street lights.

Merienda. Fish balls, mozarella balls, banana-q, ect. Fresh fuit juice with sliced fruit, eh? HRM, friends?

Group picture. From Left to Right. Bry, Roice, Aaron, Janie and Sephy.

After the dinner, we headed to Manila.

The kid who got lost intentionally in the mountains,
Aaron.