Bohol City Landscape (Chocolate Hills)

The Chocolate Hills of Bohol Philippines is Nature's expression of beauty, mystery and romance. Chocolate Hils is one of Philippines natural monument. Bohol Philippines' Chocolate Hills is also considered as one of the eight wonder of the world and it has been declared as the country's 3rd National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Chocolate Hills are consistent in their cone shape and size and estimates show that the number of hills reaches at least 1,260 but may be as many as 1,776. The Chocolate Hills encompasse a 20 square mile (50 sq km) area creating a sea or rolling terrain of these haycock hills.

The height of the hills varies from 98 to 160 feet (30 to 50 m) with the largest hill reaching a peak of 390 feet (120 m). The Chocolate Hills are actually grass covered limestone, but during the dry season the grass dries up turning brown which is where the name is derived from. The dried up brown hills look like a sea of "chocolate kisses."

Photography 2010 - Philippines

A collection of my Photography Images taken in the Philippines for this year 2010. I am so missing home.. Enjoy! =)

Magellan's Cross

Close to 500 years ago, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a huge Christian cross in Sugbu (now Cebu) to celebrate the baptism into the Roman Catholic religion of island chief Rajah Humabon, his wife, and some 500 of their followers on April 21, 1521.

The 485-year-old cross, called Magellan’s Cross, now stands at a small chapel located across Cebu City Hall and along Magallanes Street. The street is named after Magellan, Magallanes being the Spanish translation of the Portuguese explorer’s name.

A sign below the cross says the original Magellan’s Cross is encased in the tindalo wood cross displayed in the center of the chapel. This is to protect it from people who chipped away parts of the cross believing it has miraculous powers or as souvenirs. Some, however, say that the original cross planted by Magellan was destroyed or lost and what stands there now is a replacement planted by Spaniards who came after the Portuguese explorer.

Magellan was killed on April 27, 1521 in what is now known as the Battle of Mactan. The Portuguese explorer died when his men fought Mactan natives led by the island’s chieftain, Lapu-Lapu.

Disaster turned Paradise

As you behold the crater of Mt. Pinatubo, after a two-hour walk, you will be filled with awe. It will be - and this is not an exaggeration - sensory overload, for who would imagine seeing glacier-like barren brown peaks with white smoke effusing up, in the background of a crater lake that was in itself enchanting? It was truly an awesome sight to behold.

That epiphany will just be the culmination of wonders, in an action-packed expedition to world-famous volcano, whose eruption brought forth a desolate landscape that can aptly be described as 'out of this world'. The 45-minute 4x4 drive to the foot of the mountain from Capas, Tarlac, is exhilirating; you will feel as if you were on a Disneyland ride in real life, as the 4x4 jeep crosses varicolored streams and an endless plain of volcanic sand. The two-hour trek that will ensue will take you to more volcanic formations; streams varied in color, depending on the minerals: there was ferrous red, sulfuric yellow, and algal green; there are cliffs of lahar that precariously stand tall against the remnants of a once tall (1,700+ MASL) mountain. The destructive force of the eruption is manifest wherever you would look. And finally, after arriving at the crater, after beholding the incredible sight, you could swim across the crater, and treat your way in the murky, reddish, mildly sulfuric water.

HERE'S A CLOSER LOOK TO THE CRATER LAKE.

Sailing

A typical view in every small provinces in the Philippines, after a whole day of sailing, fishermen are now ready to succumb to ending the day with their family. A simple and yet complete life. I miss this!!! =)

Paraiso (Paradise)

My definition of Paraiso in the Philippines, located in Punta Cruz, Maribojoc Bohol. The calmness of the sea and the beautiful skyline adds up to its placidity that is most wanted by many people. The weather was perfect at that time and I don't mind a sun kissed skin if it is to capture a magnificent view as this. =)

Fearful Solace (Mt. Pinatubo Crater)

Almost 2 decades ago, the second largest volcanic eruption of the twentieth century took place in the island of Luzon in the Philippines killing almost 800 people and leaving 100,000 people homeless. 

After the massive eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, it left this huge crater that is now filled with water. The haven for hardy trekkers and mountaineers. A pristine sight that will leave you in awe.

It'll always be beyond our imagination how this amazing creation had wreak havoc in 1991: villages wiped out and buried under lava, countless dead, thousands of folks displaced, and landscapes changed forever.

The quiet crater lake, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath.

Lake Louise (Banff, Canada)

When you see this picture, it is amazing. When you see the place for yourself, it's magical. :)

Another shot of the stunning Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta Canada.

Bow Lake (Banff, Alberta)

It took me awhile to retrieve this photo from my memory card because this is one of the few photos I took before my Canon EOS 7D went down the lake, and of course, the memory card went with it. And so I was ecstatic to know that my memory card is still working after all. =)

And this lake is probably gonna be one of those many lakes I have seen that I will remember for a long time, simply because this was the lake that took my Canon EOS 7D, which luckily after 3 weeks, got repaired. Oooweee!!! 

Unfortunately, with what happened on that day, I was not able to take as much picture as I want to. Hopefully, by next year I'll get to go back and make the most of what I had missed. 

Taken in Bow Lake in the beautiful Banff, Alberta Canada. 

Great Valley (The Land Before Time)

Remember when we were a child and we used to watch a cartoon movie where Little Foot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike were looking for a place called Great Valley??? Well, I found it!!! Lol

Here's my version of the Great Valley from The Land Before Time, view taken from the top of the Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Alberta Canada. =)

Heaven on Earth

Have you ever been to heaven and back? Here's to having a glimpse of it. =D

Taken somewhere in Alberta, Canada. Around 50km away from Lake Louise. Wish I know the name of the place... Sadly, I don't. But then again, memories are enough, having to capture it is even better. And for sure I'll be back again in this place next year to feast my photography passion some more. =)

Felicity and Beyond

Capturing one of God's beautiful creation, Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta Canada. The lake at that point was so serene, you are expected to do nothing but be in awe.. Such an easy task for a marvelous sight. =D

Taken with 25 seconds exposure, with an ND400 filter.

Moving Light in Still

Another shot of light in motion in town of Jasper, Alberta. I just loved moving light in still. Ironic! =)

Celebrate Life

Out of the numerous landscape photos I took since I started shooting, this is one of my favorite. A shot of the very enchanting Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Not because it is the most beautifully captured, but because no matter how many times I try to put it in still, it just wouldn't beat the emotion of actually being there to seize the moment. This image speaks of God's existence and the celebration of life, and to be given the chance to capture even just the smallest portion of its exquisiteness and charm has become the best part of this travel. :)

Untold Tale

This is another shot of my "Lost Paradise" landscape. This photo for me, speaks a lot of stories that's waiting to be heard. The unhurried flowing river, the gentle moving trees, the quiet clear blue sky, and the proud Canadian rockies. All constitutes this one display of God's masterpiece. :)

Downtown Banff

Banff is the largest town in Banff National Park, in Alberta's Rockies, Canada. At 1,463 m (4,800 ft), it is the town with the second highest elevation in Canada, the highest being Lake Louise. It is surrounded by mountains, notably Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, and Cascade Mountain, and is situated above Bow Falls near the junction of the Bow and Spray Rivers. Banff is located 126 km (78 mi) west of Calgary and 58 km (36 mi) east of Lake Louise, on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Banff is a resort town and one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations, known for its mountainous surroundings and hot springs. It is a major destination for outdoor sports and features extensive hiking, biking, scrambling and skiing areas within the region. Three ski resorts are located in close proximity: Sunshine Village, Ski Norquay and Lake Louise Mountain Resort.

Piece of Heaven

For those who wants a piece of heaven. :)

Crowfoot Mountain

Crowfoot Mountain is located in Banff National Park in the Waputik Range. It is situated north of Hector Lake, south of Bow Lake, and east of the Wapta Icefield at the northern end of the Bow River Valley. The spine of the Continental Divide is less than 2 km to the west of this bulky mountain. The scenic Icefields Parkway passes to the east of Crowfoot Mountain and its three summits can be seen from many vantage points along the highway. A highway pullout near Bow Lake provides a classic view of the Crowfoot Glacier on the northeast slope from which the mountain derived its name. This glacier has receded since its naming in the late 1800's and today only two of the three toes of the crow's foot remain visible. However it remains one of the most photographed mountains in the Canadian Rockies and it can be found on many calendar and postcard images.

Nightscape in Jasper Town

Taken with 8 seconds exposure, having to capture the movement of the light, together with the light shadow of one of the rockies are the best part of this photo. This was taken in the town of Jasper, Alberta. Truly an awesome town, however small. :)

Reflection

Just admiring the reflection showed in the water. :)