Just Birthday...

I cant recall when was the last time I got excited when this day is coming. As far as I can remember there is nothing a year that I really can say I had a memorable one. Every year it is always an ordinary day for me. I have never experienced to have a celebration that I can categorize as grand.  This day always come without fanfare. 

Even now. I am not complaining. In fact I am thankful.  I give thanks to the Lord every year for continued support and guidance. Thanking and asking to continue to provide me things I need to survive in His world. 

But just like any mortal, I have some grievances that I felt I have to deserve. I may sound ungrateful but I guess it is human nature.

…Happy not included. Don't bother to ask why.

Red Bull Street Speed Singapore

The Orchard Road became a play ground of former Formula One driver David Coulthard last sunday!  Part of Orchard Road was closed to traffic and shoppers-by and spectators were treated to high pumping  stunts, as the former Red Bull F1 driver  raced the Renault Red Bull F1 race car for an hour along Orchard Road. He also performed burnouts, engine brakes, short sprints, and donuts stunts.

I was stationed far from the action and was frustrated not to be able to take close up shots. Even my panning shots were lousy. But at least I enjoyed the show which is more important heheh. I realized that I have never touched my camera for quite sometime now. 

This is how I spent Easter Sunday. 

The Passion Of Jesus Christ

source

Mark 15:16-47

"The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!" In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama "--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah." One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" 

Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). 

So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid."

Source : http://www.cptryon.org/xpipassio/passio/mark/6cruc.html

Gunung Kawi Temple, Bali Indonesia

Another Bali's ancient temple complex is the Gunung Kawi temple situated in a hidden deep valley surrounded by rice fields. The complex uniqueness from the other temples is its carved shrines and royal tombs on a solid rock hill. It is believed that the shrines were dedicated to a king ruler, his queen and sons, and his concubines. 

Goa Gajah Temple in Bali, Indonesia

One of the places I have visited in Bali Indonesia is the Goa Gajah Temple in Bedulu Village in Blahbatuh District about 27 km from Kuta. This is  included  in the itinerary of  the Bali full day tour package I availed while on holiday in Bali Indonesia. Goa Gajah is an archaeological site  but still an active worship place. It is located on a steep valley beside the main road. You have to descend from the stone steps to reach the complex. 

Happiness Truck Philippines

In less than a month, another year…

I wish to have a truck that is converted into like this.

Happiness!

Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi Malaysia

My first foray of working overseas was in Malaysia. I was hired by an international civil and structural consulting firm based in the US with a local office in Kuala Lumpur. My job description is to oversee the site development and eventually the construction of a resort hotel at the heart of a virgin forest 45 minutes from the city of Kuala Lumpur. The project followed the next phase of development where a golf course and clubhouse and residential development has already been in placed.  

Kek Lok Si - The Temple of Supreme Bliss

One of the main tourist attractions in Penang Malaysia is the Temple of Supreme Bliss that sits majestically at the hill of Ayer Itam about 6 kilometers from downtown Georgetown.

Entrance to the temple is a bit complex  as the path that is leading up to the temple is actually alleys of stores selling dry goods and souvenir items. It is quite frustrating because aside from you don't know if you are traversing the right path, the hawkers were quite persistent and noisy offering their goods. You will know that you are on the right track when you reach a murky pond full of turtles, named liberation pond. The Chinese believes that turtles set free in the pond is an act of spiritual liberation.

One afternoon along Manila Bay

Walking along the Manila Bay in the afternoon just before the sun set, will reward you a fascinating view of the famous Manila bay sunset. It never disappoint. 

Right after I arrived Manila from the Corregidor tour, I have my afternoon food intake in one of the restaurant at Harbor Square that have an overlooking view of the Manila bay. Right after  that I walk along  Baywalk  with my Nikon in hand.

I can never get tired spending afternoon here whenever I am in Manila.

Exploring Corregidor Island, Philippines (Part 2)

Gen. McArthur Park and the Lorcha Dock

After the hefty lunch our tour guide brought us to the Bottomside, the lower part of the island. The island has an interesting outline that shaped into a tadpole.  The head rises prominently to a large flat area which coined Topside, the center of activities of the island. The plateau that interrupts the upward slope from Bottomside to Topside is the Middleside.

The Bottomside part of the island was our first stop after having lunch. Gen. Douglas McArthur Park, South Dock, Lorcha Dock, North Dock, Barrio San Jose, Administration building, San Jose Chapel, and the Gen. Wainwright Memorial are all can be found here. At the Lorcha Dock is where Gen McArthur boarded a ship leaving the island to Australia and made a promised "I shall return".  A statue has been erected at the spot where he bid his goodbye and turned into a park named after him. His famous remark is inscribed at the foot of the statue. Another park nearby is the Gen Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial. Constructed in honor of his determined leadership, courage, and resolution to the very end during the war.

Exploring Corregidor Island, Philippines (Part 1)

 One of the under rated tourist attraction in the Philippines is the Corregidor Island tour. According to our tour guide, there are only over a hundred thousand local and foreign tourists who visits the island. This is very minimal I think so because the Corregidor Island has so much to offer to tourist. But I guess because of the monopoly of just one company who provide tour to the island makes it less popular and less accessible to tourists.

Coming back home

I was in the Philippines for two weeks. I took the opportunity of spending the chinese new year holiday back home, and by availing the remaining 5 days vacation leave for the year, and applied 3 days of no pay leave, it sum up to 14 days of extended vacation. Most of the days were spent supervising my unscheduled house renovation. The simple plan of just adding two rooms turned into a major house renovation in which I am afraid its completion will took sometime. So my planned Caramoan Islands trip again did not push through, and  just hope it will be a reality on my next vacation, third attempt. I'll make sure.

Exploring Georgetown

The main attraction in Penang is the old town district of Georgetown. The colonial era straits architecture is evident here. Other than the Georgian buildings and shophouses scattered around town, there are chinese mansions, Indian temples, mosques, and churches  to due many ethnic groups who settled in Georgetown.

My Trip to Penang Malaysia

My first travel this year happened last weekend to Penang Island, Malaysia. For four days I got to explore and experience the island's unique cultural, historical, and natural scenery. Penang has plenty of sightseeing opportunities scattered around the island. Aside from the attractions they have their on unique food not to be miss while in Penang.

This year's list of task

Last year, I skip this habit of making a list of task to do for the whole year. But this time I decided to have one, but unlike in previous years, this year's list of task will be concentrating on places I want to visit, things related to travel, and photography. As my resources is limited, I can travel only as far as the neighboring countries or just within the southeast asian countries where I don't need to secure a visit visa to enter one's country.