Foot and Fire

  Who is not having fun when one has a camera these days? A phone cam at that. Well, when in a nature resort, document the nature. I had fun taking my selfie in between sleeping and eating at the Graceland View Resort located at Murcia, Negros Occidental, just diverging from the road leading to Mambukal.  Peace and quiet is yours here if you are lucky enough not to be with a million other picnickers. And I just got lucky! Here, I am sharing with you the flowers and plants I came to retreat with last weekend.   The yellow Gumamela. I'm not sure if this can go to Hibiscus tea. ***

Plazuela de Iloilo. This is Iloilo City's take on depicting Spanish-designed public place.  But since we arrived late, the grounds fronting the architecture caught our attention.  The toy-themed park made us giggle with childish joy. The Fountain at the entrance *** Out of place stuffs  in a European-inspired architecture but still fun to watch. *** *** *** At the grounds of the park.  *** *** *** ***

While waiting for the lights, I spot this father and daughter who are waiting also for the fireworks  display sponsored by Iloilo Supermart in Iloilo City. *** *** *** *** The Provincial Capitol of Iloilo city *** Welcome! *** *** *** *** *** ***

This is one of the many photos I got with karsts on it.  The pristine beach, the fine white sand and the smiles of the tour guides  will always be the feature of this tour. This is from EL NIDO, Palawan, Philippines! *** This is one of the many karsts I photographed in Halong Bay, North of Vietnam.  The monstrosity and the number of karts will amaze any traveller. ** I decided that my El Nido Trip vs Halong Bay Cruise are two different experiences. I encourage all Filipinos to take the El Nido trip as one can really appreciate the truest sense of the word archipelago when one gets to see the beaches and karsts there; it also made me prouder of our natural riches. Friend Doc Judy Ann, a certified traveller and top-notch photographer, says, "One should see El Nido in his lifetime... Truly a wonder of nature... God's gift to mankind... I would want to visit El Nido again and again..." Meanwhile, my multi-awarded photographer friend Bernadet...

An old photo of the mansion-in-the-making. The ruins of the mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson was built in loving memory of his deceased wife Maria Braga after her death in 1911. The mansion of Italianate architecture was designed to be a monument of their enduring love affair. In the eve of WW II in 1942, the mansion was torched by the guerilla fighters and was burning for 3 days, leaving behind reminders of a glorious past. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** The couple, Don Mariano Lacson and Maria Braga. ***

The Ruins marker. The ruins of the mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson was built in loving memory of his deceased wife Maria Braga after her death in 1911. The mansion of Italianate architecture was designed to be a monument of their enduring love affair. In the eve of WW II in 1942, the mansion was torched by the guerilla fighters and was burning for 3 days, leaving behind reminders of a glorious past. *** blooms... *** The fountain. *** *** *** *** *** From the window of the mansion... *** Taken from the doorway. *** *** *** Blossoms. *** *** *** *** Of course, the mansion itself. ***