Igorot Stone Kingdom

Structure: Igorot Stone Kingdom

Location: Long long Benguet Road, Baguio Benguet

Year Opened: The attraction was opened to the public in May 2021. It was shut down temporarily on November 7, 2022, due to safety and permit violations.

Description: The Igorot Stone Kingdom is a stone-formed castle structure that gives the tourist a deja vu feeling he is strolling Bangkok's Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The humongous structure was built by Pio Velasco ... his inspiration being the first to use Igorot's stone-laying acumen ... this side of Philippines. It is rooted in the legend of Sab-angan, an ancient Igorot Kingdom.

The castle is proud to showcase its Stone walls which is known locally as riprap. It is a local and native engineering technique of supporting mountainsides from landslides using rocks and mud.  What is surprising to note is that Pio and his men had painstakingly and meticulously piled up the boulders just like stacking wood blocks just like in the Jenga game (Jenga comes from the word kujenga which means to build) to form stone walls. 

This building artistry is still being employed in modern times, but cement comes in handy to take the place of clay and mud as a binding element.

Places We Visited

Rio Grande Regional Hospital is the hospital I worked at when I worked in Mc Allen Texas USA. I was in charge of the surgical department - general, ENT, Urology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, cardiovascular, colo-rectal, neuro. The hospital has 320 bed capacity.

Founded in 1982, Rio Grande Regional Hospital is proud to maintain its status as one of the leading healthcare providers in the Rio Grande Valley.  For over 35 years, it has remained focused and committed to providing quality healthcare to all members of our community.

Places We Visited

I have been to Matamoros and Nuevo Leon in Mexico and I thought what's the use of going to New Mexico? If you have seen one you have seen them all. But here's the catch Mexico is in Mexico and New Mexico is in the USA. So while taking my Board exams in America, our group opted to choose Albuquerque in New Mexico - it is just like hitting two birds with one stone - taking my licensure exam and seeing the city environs for the first time.

Indeed there is a difference. Mexico is the land of extremes ... it has dense rainforests in the south and east, sweeping deserts in the north, and deep canyons at the center. On the other hand, some portions of New Mexico are flat but are rich in pine forests and rugged mountains while other areas are devoid of any water bodies where even cacti struggle to survive.

There is just one place in Albuquerque that I will not forget. It is the Sandia Tramway.  It is the longest aerial tram ride that towers more than 10 thousand feet in the Sandia Mountains. You can almost breathe the fresh mountain air and enjoy awe-inspiring postcard-pretty views while on top of the world.

Iloilo Skyline - Ilonggo Traveller

Hamilton Pool Reserve Park

Captivating Hamilton Pool Preserve Park is an emerald green oasis. It is a natural pool that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion in the past. It can be found in Austin Texas about 37 km west of downtown Austin.

The preserve itself is prettier than I originally imagined with crystal clear water, a beautiful waterfall, and a really cool cave-like dome over a portion of the pool. To beach lovers there is no beach actually, instead, there’s a rocky-grave area cleared of vegetation and it’s tough on your bare feet!

The Hamilton Pool Preserve Park is a great to experience nature in Travis County. Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create a 50-foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon.

Places We Visited

Matutum volcano is located 30 km away and overlooks General Santos City. The mountain is a popular hiking destination. The symmetrical volcano shows a well-preserved cone shape with a summit crater 320 m wide and 120 m deep. The crater is breached by three valleys.

Matutum is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines being a part of the Ring of fire.

Places We Visited

If you want to see rainbows as you stroll and visit Esplanade 1 in Iloilo City, The Rainbow Umbrella Canopy will not disappoint. 

Places We Visited

Yosemite National Park is just a stone-throw away from where we live.in Central California. It is best known for its waterfalls, towering granite monoliths, deep valleys, and giant sequoias trees and sheer granite cliffs. It offers an abundance of activities and sightseeing. The place is roughly the size of Rhode Island. The park has a distinct appeal no matter what time of year—here, shoulder season simply means fewer people and a chance to see Yosemite's beauty from a different angle.

Places We Visited: Wat Pho

Wat Pho is a Buddhist Temple Complex in Phra Nakhon District in Bangkok Thailand. Sometimes people call it as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

King Rama 1 rebuilt the temple complex and became the main temple where his ashes were enshrined. The temple was later expanded and extensively renovated by Rama III. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images including a 46-meter-long reclining Buddha.

Wat Pho covers an area of 60,000 square meters and is one of the largest and oldest wats in Bangkok. The complex consists of two walled compounds. The larger northern walled compound is called phuttawat and the southern compound is called sankhawat.

The perimeter wall of the main temple complex has sixteen gates, two of which serve as entrances for the public (one on Chetuphon Road, the other near the northwest corner).

Places We Go: Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Excalibur Hotel and Casino is located on the Strip in Las Vegas Nevada. It is operated by MGM Resorts International.

Excalibur, named for the mythical sword of King Arthur, uses the medieval theme in several ways. Its facade is a stylized image of a castle.

Excalibur is situated at the Tropicana. The hotel is linked by overhead pedestrian bridges to neighboring casinos to the north (New York New York) and to the east (Tropicana across the Strip). A free tram connects Excalibur to its sister MGM Resorts International properties to the south, Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

The Places We Go: Fresno Blossom Trail

The photo was taken when Fresno County was in blossom. The Fresno County Blossom Trail, made up of the county's orchards, is festooned in rosy sprays of peach and nectarine petals, pink bouquets of apricot blossoms, and white blazes of almonds, plums, and apples.

Places We Visited: Farm Tour At Clovis California

I just love floral photography and visiting Clovis in Central California is bursting with opportunities. The farm areas are small but it will give visitors the chance to appreciate the beauty of nature at its best. In the month of May, visiting these farms gives you a lush profusion and panoramic view of garden flowers, it will leave you breathless.

Sentosa Island in Singapore

Sentosa Island known mononymously as Sentosa is an island located off the southern coast of Singapore's main island. The island is separated from the main island of Singapore by a channel of water, the Keppel Harbour, and is adjacent to Pulau Brani, a smaller island wedged between Sentosa and the main island.
 

Over the course of its remarkable history, Sentosa has transformed into a beloved island resort, best known for its tropical beaches, luxurious hotels, and thrilling attractions. Whether you're looking for an adrenaline rush or a day of relaxing in the sun, Sentosa is bound to enchant and delight.

Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano, an active volcano in southeastern Luzon, Philippines, dominates the city of Legaspi. Called the world's most perfect volcanic cone because of the symmetry of its shape, it has a base 80 miles (130 km) in circumference and rises to 8,077 feet (2,462 meters)

Mayon Volcano is mysterious beautiful but dangerous.

Places We Visited: Disneyland

Disneyland  (also known as the happiest place on earth) is a theme park located in Anaheim California. We visited the place three times on three different occasions and we never get enough of it. It is a theme park for children and also for adults with a kid's heart. For isn't being "forever young" is not a question of age but a question of spirit - enjoying small things and being happy with almost everything.

Disneyland has a lot to offer. There are too many adventures to choose from, somebody has to make their "must-see list" in order to maximize your experience especially if you are visiting only for a day. There's Main Street USA where you see the breathtaking Sleeping Beauty castle.

Disney also features a lot of lands 

1. Tomorrow Land -Rockets To The Moon, Autopia, Space Mountain. Star Wars Launch Bay, Trials of the Temple, and Disney's monorail.

2. Fantasy Land - King Arthur's Carousel, Peter Pans Flight

3. Adventure Land - Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure, Tarzan;s treehouse, Walt Fisney's Tiki Room

4.  Frontier Land - Big Mountains Mountain Railroad, Mark Twain's River Boat, the Sailing Ship Columbia, Tom Sawyer's Island, Golden Horseshoe Saloon

Then there's Main Street USA, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars Galaxy Edge Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Star Wars: Rise to the Resistance, and Mickey's Toontown.

In the evening, there's a parade where you will rub elbows with Disney characters. Elaborate fireworks show synchronized with Disney songs is added attraction and how about Tinker Bell flying above Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Thrill rides at Disneyland and California Adventure Park are on the milder end of the spectrum, using breakneck speeds, exciting drops, and hairpin turns. In short, although you’ll certainly get an adrenaline rush, you should leave ready to take on another attraction, not feeling like you just escaped an untimely death.

When it comes to the most scream-inducing attractions, the best Disney Park for thrill rides on the west coast is easily California Adventure Park. There, daring guests can get their blood pumping on the tallest Disney roller coaster in the world, towering 122 feet over Pixar Pier, or plummet down an exciting drop tower again and again and again (and possibly, again and again – all on the same ride). 

Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas

Aria Resort and Casino can be seen in the Las Vegas Strip in the state of Nevada.  It is a luxury resort and casino that consists of two curved glass and steel highrise towers that communicate and connect at the middle. It is another mammoth project spearheaded by MGM Resorts. It is the largest and the tallest of all architectural structures found at CityCenter. 

Aria Resort and Casino proud itself to incorporate technology both interior and exterior having the so called smart rooms that have a mind of their own.  One notable aspect in Aria is that the room automatically adjusts curtains, and regulates room temperature, and when there are unused lights and electronics, they are powered off as hotel dwellers leave their rooms.

A collection of artwork can be seen as you enter the lobby and the inside of the resort. You can see lighted water artwork  in the main entryway called Lumia which synchronizes water spurts with music.

Aria boasts 4,004 hotel rooms and suites making up 568 in total. It also has a convention Center, a pool deck, restaurants, clubs, and spas. In its theater Cirque du Soleil's rock opera Zarkana is headlining.

Ocean Park Cable Cars in Hongkong

The ideal way to get between the Waterfront and the Summit, you guess it right ... riding Ocean's Park's world-renowned cable cars in Hongkong. The ride is one good opportunity for a family shot especially when there's a good panoramic view of the skies, the green hills, and some overt views of the sea. This relaxing trek is one good trailer which make you plan what to visit next in the sprawling park underneath. The cable cars are more than just a transportation option ... it is an attraction by itself as you get a glimpse of the neighboring islands, and the bays as far as your eyes can see.

Just like a movie trailer, as I said before, you will have a chance to see from above the Panda Adventure and the Grand Aquarium.  As you approach the Summit the roller coastal rides will make your mouth water as they become visible, it will make you segue which direction you will take and which rides you will try. 

It is about a 1.5 km one-way ride and will take about 15 minutes to reach your destination. I have the time of my life with this ride and I'm sure as hell to invite you to try it on your next HK visit especially when the skies are blue and clear.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

It’s a bit like shopping at Walmart, only imagine that Walmart is floating on a river and you’re making your purchases from a boat. Okay, so it’s nothing like shopping at Walmart but a visit to one of Thailand’s floating markets is so novel that it just has to be included in your travel plans. 

Although they are found in many countries over Asia including Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka to name a few, Thailand really is the home of the floating market. It boasts the largest one in the world and has successfully marketed this shopping experience as a bucket list activity. 

Before you clamber into one of those long-tail canal boats, back up one second. This article will tell you everything you need to know about visiting a floating market in Thailand, including the history behind them, the best ones to visit, and tips for getting your money’s worth!

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is among the most popular floating markets in the world. Over one hundred years old, this market is Thailand's most famous floating market. James Bond fans will recognise it as part of certain scenes from the 'Man with the Golden Gun'. One can expect to venture the market through cramped klongs (canals) and witness several female traders attired in traditional mo hom apparel and broad-brimmed straw hats selling merchandise on compact wooden boats referred to as sampans.

New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas

New York-New York Hotel and Casino, The Greatest City in Las Vegas, re-creates the very best of the Big Apple. Towering over the Las Vegas Strip, it offers sights, sounds, and energy of New York with the stunning recreations of famous Landmarks including the Manhattan Skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty. Dine at a variety of restaurants including Nine Fine Irishmen, Tom's Urban, and Gallagher’s Steakhouse. Experience the Big Apple Rollercoaster, table games, and slots in the casino, one of our bars or lounges or just relax at the pool or in the spa or salon.

Places We Visited: Las Vegas

Las Vegas (Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 26th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the largest city within the greater Mojave Desert. Las Vegas is renowned as a major resort city, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. The Las Vegas Valley as a whole serves as the leading financial and cultural center for Nevada.

The city bills itself as "The Entertainment Capital of the World" and is famous for its luxurious and extremely large casino-hotels together with their associated activities. Today, Las Vegas annually ranks as one of the world's most visited tourist destinations. The city's tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of "Sin City" and has made Las Vegas a popular setting for literature, films, TV programs, and music videos.