by Tags These are all the tags used in my gallery. Have fun exploring. Attention!The special guard was looking good at the Filipino Independence Day ceremony.Distant StormsLightning flashes in the skies south of Mabini, PhilippinesFall in LineA group of soldiers gets ready for the flag raising and wreath-laying as part of the Philippine Independence day activities.FilinvestManila is a mix of old and new, poor and rich. This all comes together in a place like Alabang, where poor neighborhoods are in sight of shiny new skyscrapers like these in a development called Filinvest.Four CenturiesIt's interesting that given how horrible the Spanish were to the people of the Philippines, the Spanish religon - Catholicism - thrives to this day. This church in Intramuros is 440 years old.Into IntramurosThe old Spanish center of Manila was surrounded by a wall, hence the name Intramuros, or between the walls.Intramuros ArtThere is plenty of public art in Intramuros, and the surrounding areas. I didn't record the story of these 4 monks, but most likely they suffered some sort of calamity.It's Show TimeA military guard gets ready for the main event.JeepneyJeepneys are the Filipino answer to cheap transportation. These improvised mini-buses might be underpowered, and polluting, but they get the job done... with whimsical decorations as a bonus.Looking GoodA number of community service organizations were represented, such as the Masons, Girl Scouts, various religous groups, schools and more. Everyone was dressed for the occasion.Looking SharpThese soldiers were getting ready for the arrival of the Vice-President of the Philippines.Military ReadinessIt was all smiles and celebration on this day.Old New Broken FixedIntramuros has a chaotic history. Many of the buildings were destroyed by World War II, and other disasters. Some have been restored and turned into museums or functional city buildings. Some have been replaced by ugly modern buildings. And some sit abandoned, waiting for some kind of plan to emerge.Power to the PeopleThis crazy power pole is hardly the craziest. It's pretty typical throughout the country. I'm sure there's a circuit diagram written down somewhere... right?Queen for a DayI'm not sure why some of the women were wearing tiaras and such, but they sure looked elegant doing it!The Fili-veep...Vice President of the Philippines, Jejomar Binay, was on hand to raise the flag and lay a wreath at a memorial.Time WaitingAnother old building waits for someone to pay it some attention.Batad PanoramaA view back to Batad over the rice terraces. The main village is at the bottom of the terraces. Most of the guest houses are on the slope above/beyond. The batad saddle - where the road ends - can just be seen on the right of the distant ridgetop. It's about a mile walk down to Batad from the saddle.Batad TerracesThe storm clouds started to lift over the rice terraces of Batad.Carved on the SpotA group of us were caught in a deluge. While we waited under a small tin roof, one of the locals carved this figure into the top of his walking stick.Clearing StormA view back over the Batad rice terraces as the storm clouds clear.Ifugao HutThe native Ifugao people often live in huts like this one. A central platform is elevated from the ground. The inside is quite comfortable - staying relatively cool in the heat, and warm in the cold.MadcheteTo navigate around this area, it sure helps to have a good guide.Morning in BatadThe main town of Batad lies at the foot of the rice terraces. A variety of guesthouses and other buildings are located on the slope from where this photo is taken. Mt. Amuyao rises in the distance.Moutain forestsThere isn't much primary forest left in these mountains, but this patch comes at least close... with some larger trees on very difficult terrain. While there are laws about logging, they're not enforced. I didn't see evidence of any commercial logging in the area during my visit - mostly it was just people harvesting for their own needs.On the Edge of the TerracesA lone Betel Nut Palm decorates the ridge of terraces above Batad.Swirling Clouds and TerracesAfter the bulk of the rain passes, the air cools, and the humidity condenses into clouds like these.Tappiya FallsThis waterfall is only a short hike from Batad... but it's a grinding, steep, short hike... especially in the heat. The water is warm enough for a swim, and just cool enough to be refreshing on a hot day. Needless to say, it's a popular place to visit.Terrace PathEach of the terraces must be accessible on foot, which can require some steep paths.Terrace PathsThere are footpaths along the edges of many of the rice terraces, and steep stone or concrete paths bisecting them in places. With so many choices of where to walk, it can be difficult to pick the best route.Terraced FoothillsThe rice terraces are located on the lower slopes of these mountains. Mountain streams feed water into the terraces, which work like an elaborate fountain - each one spilling into the next one down the slope.To Cambula and PulaA number of small settlements dot the slopes in this area. Cambula and Pula are a couple of these.Working the FieldsIt's a lot of work to maintain the rice terraces.AlvernaI'm not sure how many seasons she's seen in the rice fields of Hapao.Banaue TerracesA swath of rice terraces in the bottom of the valley near Banaue.Banue TerracesThe terraces above the town of Banaue are a little higher in elevation than others in the area. As a result, they're planted and harvested a little later. They also tend to be mud-walled, instead of stone-walled.Blue-headed FantailI was lucky to catch a glimpse of this bird. A local person told me this particular bird was a bit of an omen... whether good or bad, he couldn't say.Fresh TerracesA group of freshly-planted rice terraces in the Banaue area.Hapao Valley ViewMost of the organic material from in and around the terraces is mulched back into the mud, but some is burned as can be seen in the distance here.Hapao ValleyA view over the Hapao Valley. This area is about 20km west of Banaue.LizardI don't know what type of lizard this is, but it seems pretty expressive!Morning at the Native VillageThis is the view from the Native Village Inn, about 7km west of Banaue. The steep road below eventually winds to the Hapao Valley in 15km or so.MothA whole other world comes alive at night in these areas. This moth was hanging out under the eaves of a small shed - motionless for hours.Path Through the TerracesSteep paths like this one head up through the terraces in the Hapao regionRed RiceA slightly different variety grown with the other rice in the Hapao valley.Rice HarvestAfter the rice stalks are cut one-by-one, they're bundled together, and then dried.TrikesThe most ubiquitos and practical transportation in the area. If you try hard, you can fit up to 7 people on a trike - 3 in the sidecar, 1 on the roof, 2 behind the driver... plus the driver for 1 more.Typical Banaue SceneAlong the main road in Banaue... At times it's either quiet or chaotic.Big FountainWhen you enter the Orchid Garden at the Singapore Botanical Garden, the first thing you'll notice is this impressive fountain.DurianThere's a reason this fruit is wrapped in plastic. Even with the wrapping, the stench of durian is unmistakable... the nearest thing is if you let raw chicken spoil - it smells a lot like durian. Yet, some people find it tasty - not unlike a stinky cheese, it's something you really have to develop a taste for.Forest boardwalkThis bit of trail in MacRitchie Park heads through a thick tangle of rainforest.Fountain in the GardenThe Orchid Garden in Singapore's Botanical Garden has many fountains like this one.Guards of the AltarSurveying the scene in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and MuseumInside the TempleThe Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is a colorful, magical place in the Chinatown district of SingaporeLesser Whistling DuckA Lesser Whistling Duck cleans itself in a pond in the Singapore Botanical GardenLesser Whistling DuckA lesser Whistling Duck gets its feathers all sorted.Lesser Whistling DuckA pair of Lesser Whistling DucksLong-tailed MacaqueThese monkeys are used to living with people, and have become deceptively tame in some places in Singapore.No DuriansSingapore is a nation of rules, regulations, fines and punishments. You don't even want to know the fine for bringing a durian on the subway.Path in the Botanic GardensThe Singapore Botanical Gardens are filled with paths like this one.Ready for PrayerInside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and MuseumRoots in the GardenThick roots stream out through the grass in the Singapore Botanical GardenSingapore PanoramaIn this view you can see the Marina Hotel to the left, the lotus (which is a museum) to the center, and the downtown core to the right.Singapore PrisonThis is probably not on many tourist maps. The sign almost makes it sound like a spa.Singapore SkylineA view of the Singapore Skyline over the Singapore River from North Bridge Road.Temple in a TempleA colorful scene in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and MuseumThe Merlion of SingaporeHalf fish, half lion and 100% Singapore.Tortoise in the ParkThis tortoise was wandering through Pearl's Hill City Park in the middle of busy Singapore.Tunnel of OrchidThese orchid arches beckon the visitor the Orchid Garden in the Singapore Botanical GardenWhite-breasted WaterhenThis bird pokes through the shallows in search of morselsWhite-breasted WaterhenThese are common birds in some parks in SingaporeWhite-vented MynaAlso known as the Javan Myna, these birds are common throughout Singapore. They're very similar to Starlings in many behaviors and habits.
