THE GRAND PALACE - BANGKOK THAILAND

They said; "The Grand Palace and Wat Pra Kaew really are places you must visit while you are in Bangkok. Both have considerable historical significance and are extremely beautiful places to see."
I went there again the other week just to accompany a new friend who just arrived from Philippines with my newfound friends here in Bangkok.
On my first visit there with my students (as part of our Educational trip), I didn't get the opportunity to see the Grand Palace because I was just so busy going around Wat Phra Kaew marvelling the big temples and everything just around the compound of Grand Palace.






Two lovely Thai ladies with their colorful umbrellas.







The maroon color is a monk from Myanmar while the orange is from Thailand.



The guards of the place on duty.



At the gate with a vendor and a guard.
























Appreciating the flowers along the road is refreshing.



My fellow skinhead....monk from Myanmar and from Thai monk.



Grand Palace's wall.

Things to Cherish In Life

I've posted this story at my Facebook blog account. Actually, I got this story from a certain Facebooker who just surprisingly appeared at my FB front page. The story moved me and I immediately copied it, of course with permission from the source,and thought of posting it here. Enjoy reading and I do hope that you'll gain lesson from the story because I do.




There was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind,considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her! One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul - often neglected in pursuit of wealth,power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thingthat will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray. 

BEWITCHING SIQUIJOR

Blog absent for a while. Lots of things happened during the previous days, I attended a wedding which I was appointed as Wedding Coordinator.
Visited a Language Center around Bangkok, I just met Sir Howie Severino from GMA-7 at the Emporium Mall. Of course, we had a picture taking after a short talking. Failed to celebrate and witness the Loi Khra Tong (a Thai- Halloween celebration)..too bad, just stayed at home watched TV.
Well, I have nothing much to say this time but I just saw this blogsite of Ferdz, promoting the Photography Workshop which would be held in the place I called home Siquijor. I am happy Ferdz initiated that and he chose my place. How I wish I could join this workshop and be their tour guide around the island.
Check it out at: Backpack Photography website


UPDATED: Bewitching Siquijor Workshop March 2011

Bewitching Siquijor

UPDATED (October 31, 2010) A 2-day Photo Tour and Workshop. Go beyond the myths and superstitions and explore this beautiful island of warm people, uncrowded white sand beaches, mangrove sanctuaries, caves, charming churches and mystical healers.

Course Outline

Preparing for an outdoor and travel shoot
Light and Exposure
Utilizing Filters for better exposure
People and Environmental Portraits
Shooting Architecture
Photo Critique

Workshop Details

Skill Level: Should have Basic Knowledge of Photography

For whom this is for: Participants who are willing to learn more about Travel and Outdoor Photography.

Date: March 18-20, 2011

Venue: Siquijor

Workshop Fee:

Php 10,000 (exclusive of airfare)
*Booking dates should be March 18, 2011 morning flights Manila to Dumaguete and March 20, 2010 afternoon flights Dumaguete to Manila

Inclusive of

Accommodations for 4days/3nights
Meals, packed lunches, buffet dinners (8main meals)
Transportation
Course Materials
Travel Insurance
Requirements:

Any camera that has Manual Controls
Must already have basic knowledge of Photography and knows how to set the controls of their cameras
Sturdy tripod
Compass
Flashlight or headlamp
Recommended:

Filters (ND8, Graduated Neutral Density Filters, Circular Polarizer)
Remote or Shutter Release for long exposure
Register Here.

Registration deadline is on February 15, 2011. LIMITED to 15 slots only!

DAILY SIGHT SEEING TOUR AROUND BANGKOK

November 3, 2010: The third day of the month, halloween was over. I've been idle for a couple of days now after the expiration of my contract in the school. Refused to renew since I have big plans that somehow would fall rightly into place. However, I feel so bored staying at my friend's place all day watching TV and sleeping.
Well, as a traveller - walking around and discovering Bangkok's pride is one of my fave leisures.
Of course, I couldn't get out leaving my camera behind without taking souvenirs for blogging and for timely mementos.
Visiting to different temples around Bangkok has been a favorite destination. It always marvel me seeing temples and their gods, with its unique structure that I couldn't find in the Philippines. Going inside the temple is also a good relaxation for a while from the hustle bustle of the city. Thai people called the temple "wat". They are grouped into two main parts - temples that carry religious functions and those which are used only for monks living quarter.
Thailand's temples has blended into exotic and spiritual because they are places for meditation. The mystical imagery attracts to tourists that leaves questions to the foreign visitors.



On top of the temple, a pagoda at the background.



Sacred monks...



Shapely colored roofs of the temple.



Yours truly being dwarf by the giant reclining buddha.



Good luck bells outside the temple.



Young worshippers...



The eight faces of buddha, worshipped by buddhist fanatics.



Inside the temple at Walom Phong temple, Bangkok.



Precious god at the Golden Mount.



A commonly buddhist god at Walom Phong Bangkok.



One of the Buddhist gods.



A rare black colored temple in Bangkok.



The head of the reclining buddha.



Reclining buddha at Wat Pho, Bangkok.



Sacred stone...