Lizard

"Camouflage is a game we all like to play, 

but our secrets are as surely revealed

by what we want to seem to be

as by what we want to conceal." 

- Russel Lynes

Chasing Sunset at Embarcadero

After taking a breather from our trek at the hill, 

we're now off to the so-called second longest boulevard in the Philippines,

of course, after Roxas boulevard in Manila.

The boulevard is located near the seawall of Kapuntukan or Sleeping Lion hill. 

It can be accessed by getting through the Embarcadero de Legazpi.  

Fun Tricks with Mayon Volcano

As promised, 
we returned the following day to have better view of you. 

Yey!! 
First visitors of the day?!
Most probably. 

Agenda?!

Climb the Lingon Hill

After a brief visit at the Cagsawa Ruins site, 

(as we were to return the next day)

we then proceeded to our next destination, the Lingon Hill. 

We took a jeepney bound for Legazpi-Daraga 

or the one with signboards "Loop 1" or "Loop 2."

We asked the driver to drop us off at the Lingon Hill entrance. 

Hurt

Sometimes, life sucks.

Hmmm...

You've done everything and yet for some it wasn't enough.

I know I am not perfect. 

Who is?

First Hand with Mayon Volcano

It has been his dream to revisit Mayon Volcano.

According to him, 
he got the chance to visit the outstanding cone when he was still in high school.
They had a soccer competition then
and that was the time when he was able to have his first glimpse of the volcano.

Hmm, I, myself, had the chance to see the volcano when I was little. 
I was with my family, on my mother side 
But I couldn't remember the details, haha! 

So paying a visit together to this attraction was our first.  Yeyy! 

Yes!!  

Mimbalot Falls

The heat was scorching hot!!

We were sweating all over. 

I didn't play in that field.  

I just watched them. 

But the heat was superb. 

It was dehydrating. 

Batanes at First Sight

Traveling solo?

Hmmm, had oodles of thoughts on it.

I've never thought that I'll have the courage to do it.

 I've came across massive blogs about it. 

And reading through,

I felt the overflowing euphoria that every solo traveler felt. 

Her excitement. Her curiosity.  Her enthusiasm.  Her courage. Her satisfaction.

Everything! 

It seemed like it's one of the most wonderful thing that ever happened to her in the world.

Bollywood Night

Once upon a time, 
I got an opportunity to attend an event in our hospital. 

As part of the Retention program for the nurses, we had the Bollywood Night.  
This showcased the Indian talents and culture.  

Just like what I see on TV, I imagined it to be colorful, festive, and fun. 
And I was right.
 And this also gave me the opportunity to put my photography skills to test. (Yes!!)
As they have always say, practice makes perfect. 

We (I was with my colleague) took off early (coz I am not familiar with the place).  
Spotted!! 
The organizers.  They were so busy fixing the whole area.

The receiving area

the corner display

inside of the Performance Hall

Then the performers.  Glamorized. 

my friends who took part in a wedding ceremony

 with one of the marvellous dancers

Oh, I could feel the excitement. 

Later on, we were served dinner. 
Filling our hungry tummies was the best part. 
Woohoo!
  

on queue for the food

Good laugh.  Good food. Good company. 

Ultimately, the most awaited part of the night commenced. 
Generally, and in all the other programs, it all started with the National Anthem. 

  
Then a presentation was flashed to impart a little history of India. 
It was some sort of a powerpoint presentation and was informative enough. 

Soon after, a young lady did a traditional dance. 
She was full of colors.  She moved gracefully.  She was full of expressions and emotions.  
A total performer.  

Another ethnic dance was executed.  
This time, an older lady did it.  
Just like the previous performer, she also danced entracingly. 

Aside from the dances, we also had games. 

One of the featured games was the Stick Game.  

The players will move according to the instructions given and should make sure that the stick on their finger will not fell on the ground. 

Otherwise, they will be eliminated. 

Teamwork and proper balance are the key.  

Furthermore, a fashion show was also exhibited. 

They showed the different clothing that Indian women use 

depending on her place of origin and the occasion.

(I'll only share a few photos, otherwise I'll be flooding the whole entry.) 

A wedding ceremony was also presented which mirrored their culture and beliefs.

It was quite a lengthy ritual but it was entertaining.  

The whole night was fun. 

It was charming. 

A really good stress-reliever from our busy nursing life.

Reminds me of a saying to work hard and play harder. 

The Search for Signature

I have always been fascinated with blogs.

The "behind-the-scenes" of every post.

The delete-post dilemma.. 

The endless search for something to make-up your blog details and designs..

and all the others. 

I could imagine the hardship that an amateur, like me, undergo each time. 

One of the struggles I went through is how to have your signature after every post.  

I have searched for all those "how to's" and I have tired them all.  

But it didn't work out the way I wanted it.  

And in the brink of giving up, I stumbled upon a blog (bellaluluink.com) where she discussed and use the uncomplicated CSS thingy.

This is how she and I did it: 

1.  Go to the Dashboard

2. Select Template, then click on Customize

3. On the left corner, look for the Advanced and tap it

4. Scroll down the cursor, look for the Add CSS and click on it

5. Copy and paste the CSS on this link

       https://gist.github.com/bellaluluink/e34533f4487279b70c6f

6. In the YOURURLHERE, place your signature image here

     * To get your image url, you have to upload your signature image in either Picasa, Photobucket, Flickr or whatever is convenient for you, click on the uploaded image and then get the URL 

7. Tap on Apply to Blog and viola!!!! You're signature is on site!! 

Notes:

Also, because I used FotoFlexer.com to make my signature.  It also took me ages to make it.

I kept on doing the instructions given to me but they weren't working as well.  I wanted it transparent like those of the others.  But mine just don't seem to go along.  

Good heavens gave me another page to use.  It's the http://www.online-image-editor.com/help/transparency

I just followed the instructions and yey!!! It's now transparent!!! ^_^   

Tinago Ngunit Nakita

One crazy morning..

Our agenda was to go to another falls..

(Another tick on the 23 waterfalls of the city. Yey!)

We only packed light since we wouldn't be staying the whole day in the area..

We just brought our changing clothes and a few vittles...

Then off we go..

When we arrived, I thought we would be hiking like what we did with Pampam Falls..
But I was wrong.. 

We had to use the stairs to reach the magnificent view..

Of course, going down was a piece of cake..  #charot

Although for some, they need to pause for a while and catch their breath before proceeding.. 

After 400+ steps down, 

we have reached our destination!! Whoohoo!!

And the scenery?? T'was jaw-dropping! 

Tinago Falls

The panorama was really stunning! 

*I thank the heavens for showering the Philippines with so many mind-blowing paradise. 

The falls.  Gushing water.  Cold mists. 

Us. 

Embrace me!! 

After playing in the waters, immersing on it, it's time to head home.  

Click Tinago Falls Activities

Leaving the place gave me a sting in my heart.   

I kept on looking back at the splendid view..

Taking more snapshots of its beauty inside my head. 

As if it's going to disappear soon..

But we have to push ahead..

And life has to move on. #charot

The trek up was the most challenging.  

He doesn't have any problem with going up. :( 

 While he was fine with climbing up, I was already in agony.  

But it didn't stop me.  

I took my time.  (As what he said.)

One tiny step in a slow pace. 

(Just imagine how slow I am..tsk! Haha! Blame it on my Asthma!)

Keeping my focus while struggling with those steps. 

hydrate when needed 

 Noticed a "faucet" like water-source which can be drunk.  

(My bf told me that since their city is known to be the "Majestic City of Waterfalls," water source comes out everywhere naturally.)

Compensate by sitting. 

There are landing stops where you can rest and catch your breath, especially for people like me.  

a few more steps and we're done.. yey!

And at the top, a photo with the huge tarp is a must.  :) 

Tinago Falls

Indeed, 

"Get lost in nature and you will find yourself." 

  

Steaky Night

Once upon a time, 

I got a little board of my life in the sandbox.  

Sleep. Wake Up.  Work.  Go Home.  Then Sleep Again.  

Too conventional.  Too ordinary.   Sooo plain.

Until, I asked one of my colleagues if we could do something fun.

We thought of eating somewhere.   

A dinner, perhaps.  

After exploring a number of restaurants, our eyes gleamed at LongHorn SteakHouse.  

It's a steakhouse chain that caters grilled beef and other American dishes in a ranch-style ambiance.

The gang outside the resto waiting for the prayer time to finish.

Yakimix Experience

I told myself,

I will go and eat in an eat-all-you-can restaurant went I go home.
I dreamt of Korean and Japanese cuisines
Hmmm... yum!!

But because such delicacies is an arm and a leg here,
I usually delay my cravings until I'm home.

So one day,
Ate Fe, eldest sibling of my boyfriend, asked us if we would like to join them.
I forgot the specific occasion but since we were just in the area, we decided to hopped in.

The diner was almost loaded and we didn't made the necessary reservations,
(though walk-ins are welcome)
so we ended up sitting far-flung from their table.  :(

Anyway, that didn't hinder us from enjoying and filling our hungry tummies.

weeee!!! cookin'