Category: My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Grand Opening of Mario de Rivera~Palace of Memory

By livelifeandlove on September 20, 2019

Time and date: 6 PM, Tuesday, September 10, 2019 At the Art Lounge Manila, a new location for Mario de Rivera, a Filipino Asian modern and contemporary painter, to exhibit his work, he just held the Grand Opening of his One-Man Show. Many came to take in the creative display, as it provides viewers with a wealth of visual stimulation.

Nearly a hundred friends, art collectors, and family members attended, including other well-known figures from the art world.

Highlights of the exhibition include hand-drawn Champagne toasts, a discussion by artist Mario de Rivera about his inspirations, a live performance by a ballet couple, and a slide display of his son Lorenzo’s breathtaking paintings. Creativity appears to be inherited. It was hoped that Lorenzo’s artistic prowess would one day be on par with that of his famous father.

Artistically, Mario de Rivera is well-established at this point. Since then, he has participated in both solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally. Many auctions have featured his creations. In 2003, de Rivera beat over over a thousand international competitors to take home the Excellence Award at the Beppu Contemporary Art Exhibit in Japan, and in 2000, she was named one of three finalists for the Phillip Morris Award in Manila.

Art Lounge Manila Ground Level Podium ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines

A catalog richly detailed that shows all exhibition pieces of de Rivera.

The variety of de Rivera’s paintings on display here exemplifies the appeal of modern visual arts.

The patronage of art enthusiasts and private collectors, in addition to the notoriety of numerous exhibitions in the mainstream media, social media, and blogs, has expanded in recent years, contributing to the paintings’ robust structural quality.

To your achievement, we raise our glasses! Mario (second from right) and his wife Luz are the toastmasters. To keep up with the growing demand, I wish you the best of luck. Cheers!

Thanks to Mario de Rivera’s keen eye, we are able to perceive the hidden reality of objects side by side, thanks to the contrast created by the whirling colors and the dazzling accents on the pure color. Style and form, rather than subject matter, are what make a photograph beautiful.

Me with the Filipino Asian modern and contemporary painter Mario de Rivera and Ninica del Rosario (Mario’s cousin).

Taken during the Grand Opening of Mario de Rivera’s Palace of Memory at Art Lounge Manila. (right ) Mario de Rivera, Ninica del Rosario, Me and Edgar Pazziuagan.

Added entertainment that evening, a Ballet duet live performance.

Stunning Paintings of Mario de Rivera

The scope of the whole collection, de Rivera produces the kind of art that suits the purposes of its particular time.

”The Black Dragon River”

”The Dry Season Afternoon”

”Between Sumba and Shanghai”

”Between Diu & Makassar”

”Anapolas Indias”

Atty. Baniqued, (left) Ninica del Rosario, Dr. and Dra Lim also graced the Gala opening of Mario de Rivera Palace of Memory.

Impressive Table Setting full of fantastic party appetizers and tasty finger foods.

Champagne and sparkling wine on the table

Having a solo show of artworks marks the achievement of huge success! The power of art inspired the viewers. I was enjoying the evening with friends around; Ninica (Mario’s cousin) and Edgar P., we all enjoyed the accomplishment of seeing Mario de Rivera’s work on display.

Thank you so much Ninica del Rosario for your kind invitation.

Congratulations to Mario de Rivera on his solo exhibition at Art Lounge Manila!

Art Lounge Manila proudly Presents Mario de Rivera’s Palace of Memory Grand Opening: September 10, 2019/ 6 PM / Exhibit runs until September 24, 2019/ The Podium Ground Level, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave Tuao Cagayan

By livelifeandlove on August 15, 2019

Entering the town of Tuao, the first thing you’ll notice is this welcome sign at the left side of the road. This entry sign, “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave” leaves a beautiful impression of the town as well as describing the positive attitude of the people of Tuao Cagayan. According to social media posts of my cousins, Tuao is where people are proud to live and visitors are always welcome here.

Welcome entry sign of Tuao Cagayan. The Municipality of Tuao, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan

This beautiful welcome entry sign of Tuao Cagayan says a lot about their town, it is a catching phrase visual reminder and it’s a local pride!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas

Creative Ways to Serve Fresh Strawberries

By livelifeandlove on August 2, 2019

Strawberries that are picked fresh have the best flavor. They also look perfectly ripe and moist with redness. Often, we only consider the fruit’s sweetness, which is significant, but many fruits have additional qualities as well; they may be sweet, scented, nutritious, colorful, and healthful. Strawberries have everything!

The nice kind of strawberries grown in La Trinidad, Benguet, were all planted in rows, a foot apart from one another. La Trinidad has good soil and a climate that is conducive to various types of crops. Strawberries are popular, and they are also my personal favourite.

At the La Trinidad strawberry farm, you can pick your own strawberries. Owners will guide strawberry pickers and charge 500 pesos per kilo. It is expensive when compared to the public market prices in Baguio City. Heavy farming and collecting takes place from March to April, when the fruits are abundant. The benefit of picking on your own is that you can feel the enthusiasm and fresh aroma surrounding you, which gets you even more enthusiastic. It’s worthwhile!

Strawberry fields of La Trinidad, Benguet

Growing in numerous rows, the strawberry field is a great illustration of a tidy environment. The white blossom that is visible here is the strawberry flower, which will shortly develop into a white fruit. Details: The fruit next to the blossom is not entirely white, rather it is partially red and white. Fruits are white while they are unripe, but they progressively turn red as they ripen. A strawberry can only be picked when it is completely ripe.

Freshly picked strawberries in a box

I’ve made a variety of arrangements with fresh strawberries, including the traditional grouping of strawberries, letters made out of strawberries, and heart-shaped strawberries on a platter. Here are some suggestions for serving it at the center table on a platter. Serving strawberries in the garden or backyard while having a barbecue outside is also a good idea when guests are present.

I made delicious fruit salads with these fruits, and they also look good when combined with other fresh fruits. Along with being a tasty dessert and a healthy snack, it works well in shakes, ice cream, jams, and jellies.

My Valentine masterpiece

I’ll show you an example of how to please your loved one on Valentine’s Day. This is a simple piece of art that features fresh strawberries as the centerpiece of the table. It is appropriate to serve strawberries on this special day because the red color and heart shape, as well as the sweet fragrance, represent love; it is similar to serving your love with these fragrant fruits.

Strawberry Valentine

This is a big Valentine party arrangement on the table.

Heart-shaped Strawberries

Lovely Strawberry Hearts

A heart-shaped arrangement strawberries on a platter.

Modern Ways to Serve Strawberries

Rounded Form or Circular-Shaped Strawberries

To create a circular form, it is best to choose the firm and the ripe ones.

Strawberry Robot

My illustration of a Red Robot using strawberries, this is a big strawberry robot. It’s just a funny arrangement of fruits.

Strawberry Alphabet

I’ve arranged strawberries using the letter M it represents the first letter of my name on a platter, you can create one for you too.

Strawberry Pink Sprinkles

Strawberries in a Cocktail Glass

Unequal-sized strawberries, the big one must always at the center. This kind of arrangement will create specific mood on the table.

The freshness inside, strawberry slices with other fruits.

Strawberry Cocktail Delights

I used a pristine white plate to highlight the red hue of the strawberries and show off new ideas for serving them on a platter.

Serving fresh strawberries on the table without removing the stalk, it serves as a holder as you eat and it would be easier to pick it up, that’s the natural way to hold a piece of strawberry.

Strawberry Fan

Strawberries with other fruits.

The trendy arrangement of strawberries.

This method of serving will highlight the freshness of the fruits.

One way to introduce strawberries as a visually appealing snack and dessert on the table.

Individual serving of fresh strawberries

You will enjoy the freshness in its natural state more if you pick your own strawberries and eat them with your hands. You can serve it fresh by simply washing it, leaving the stem and calyx intact to demonstrate freshness and to show the entire fruit. It’s just a ready-to-eat fresh fruit. You only need to pick, wash, and consume. I sincerely hope you will find ways to give this presentation a try at home.

Thank you for reading my blog!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Viewing the Sunset Through an Airplane Window

By livelifeandlove on July 31, 2019

Whenever I travel, I prefer the window seat because it gives me the best viewing spot, it’s the best corner that offers a variety of views to savor from beautiful landscapes to a field of greenery, towering mountains and cliff, sunrise and sunset scene and other water forms to name a few..

The best seat that I can enjoy is the window seat, this is the best space to enjoy the constant changing views above and if given a chance, aside from others land forms, you’ll get to witness the sunrise or sunset too, this might be the reasons why most passengers would rather sit in the window seat than the aisle. The small space provides a bit of privacy for relaxing and entertaining without even bothering seatmates, it is a better pick especially if your flight is short. My flight time from Taipei to Manila is just 2 hours, my flight departure from Taoyuan International Airport around 5 PM. With a flight mode adjustment, I was able to take few pictures done with permission , I was only given 3 minutes to shoot the sky clouds above and luckily, the good timing to shoot the beautiful sunset.

The green sky at night. Green flashes, yellow and orange combination lasted only for a second.

Magnificent Sunset from the Plane Window

Viewing the beauty of the world from a higher altitude, it’s my dream to produce beautiful aerial photography shots. This is a hand held photos with some degree of accuracy but to few, it may be very confusing, certain locations causing just as an approximate details like somewhere around.

Fly with me to experience the changing colors of twilight. This is really interesting, you’ll witness here from the start of sunset till darkness, the beauty from beyond twilight hours..

Sunset from an airplane window, taken on my flight journey from Taipei to Manila.

It was already the start of sunset time, I took this shot one hour after departure.

Blanket of clouds getting thicker and bolder . Sunset colors; the light blue-green flashes with yellow and orange lights about to merge together. Colors of the sunset result from a phenomenon called scattering.

The transition of colors is about to form…

Flying above the flat clouds

Reddish-orange color is about to appear. Reddening of the sun at sunset time.

Shifting sunset colors into a new dimension.

Scattering of light blue colors with yellow sun rays.

Taken halfway between Taipei and Manila. Getting dark slowly. This is a very colorful sunset perhaps the long wavelengths of light that provides variety of colors.

Watching and photographing the passing of time, the romantic colors and the soft glowing of lights is an inspiration to connect with nature.

The sun is about sink below the horizon, leaving mostly blue, yellow, red and orange light remaining. The light is still visible for awhile and complete darkness took place after this last picture.Taking a few minutes to appreciate the skyline, it was a peaceful time for me to see how the day ends on board.

This is a rare opportunity to capture the sunset from an airplane window. I was lucky enough given the chance to experience once in a lifetime activity.

Thank you for reading my blog!

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Rainforest Butterfly House

By livelifeandlove on July 26, 2019

Butterflies are one of the most visually stunning and scientifically fascinating insect that can be found on earth, they receive the widespread admiration they deserve. Today, I’m confident that I’ll be able to capture something interesting and I’d be delighted to share the narrative on how I managed to do in here the wonderful world of butterflies.

Considered by many as the most beautiful habitat, Rainforest Butterfly House displayed several species of living butterflies from a garden enclosure. You are free to wander around in this area to admire and engage with different kinds of butterflies. You will also see here all the nectar flowers which is a butterfly favorite but the most interesting part is that you will witness the release of the newly hatched butterfly on their first flight. Butterfly house offers an educational tour with a guide to supply adequate information about butterflies.

This is not my first time to visit this location in fact my last visit here was in October of 2018, a month in which the temperatures are mild and the amount of sunshine and cloud cover in the sky is definitely good in comparison to this year. I’m enjoying a half-day of shooting here.

Rainforest Butterfly House

Butterfly garden is an enclosed butterfly habitat, it is a place that caters to the feeding and housing needs of butterflies at every stage of their lives. It is also a place for guests to watch the insects and engage in educational activities with them.

Butterflies are winged insects that have antennae that are knobbed and wings that are rainbow-colored. When at rest, butterflies hold their wings in an upright position. The most effective pollinators are butterflies, dragonflies and bees.

Components that make up a butterfly

A graphic depicting the anatomy of a butterfly including important parts presented here. Students and researchers alike will view this as of basic importance. I just snapped these photos, you may have noticed that it is a picture that captures the natural clarity of a butterfly as it pollinates a flower.

My sister snapped this photo as I strolled around the beautiful behind-the-scenes moments.

Taking in every little bit of time I get to spend with my most beloved pollinator. My spirit is alive by the process of documenting my interactions with the various pollinators that flit around the numerous flowers. I couldn’t wait to get some pictures of them.

**Caterpillar Habitat**
**Monarch and Paper Kite Caterpillars**

Raising eggs, caterpillars and butterflies. You can clearly see the life cycle of a butterfly here. (Butterfly photos below)

As the butterflies emerge from their cocoons, I get to witness butterflies maiden flight outside.

What sort of food do butterflies consume? In addition to the nectar of the flowers which is more nutritious for them however, kite butterflies have a preference for sweet fruits such as ripe mangoes, bananas, watermelons to name a few. You’ll find all of the butterflies favorite fruits right here.

At home, we also have our own backyard garden which is frequented in the morning by honeybees, dragonflies, and butterflies but when it rains, we do not have a weatherproof enclosure for the butterflies, it is just a free and natural habitat.

These dazzling insects have a certain endearing quality perhaps, it’s their rainbow of colors or the fact that they serve a useful purpose by pollinating flowers either way, I can’t take my eyes off of them.

Feeding time

Complex and drawn-out process of courtship.

Butterfly mating

Wonderful World of Butterflies

During my recent visit, I was able to capture these beautiful photographs of butterflies. Only three distinct species of butterflies were able to be photographed at this location: a lime butterfly, a golden birdwing butterfly, and a paper kite butterfly. Other species were not present during the time of my visit.

I hope my readers will enjoy viewing these photos and it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way. When I set-up to write about these lovely pollinators to feature here, I just wanted to share a few things. I have already received praises from students and fellow bloggers who love butterflies. Photographing butterflies is a very satisfying hobby and I’m having fun with it. Let’s get started. Happy viewing!

Lime Butterfly

Paper Kite Butterfly

Golden Birdwing Butterfly

Lime Butterfly Gallery

Note: To view images in a larger size, click on them.

The monarch butterfly prefers to feed on sweet fruits such as mangoes, watermelons etc. However, in my garden, in addition to nectar from flowers, monarch butterflies hang from lime trees which bear citrus fruits.

Paper Kite Butterfly Gallery

Note: Click on images to view larger

Golden Birdwing Butterfly Gallery

Note: Click on images to view larger

If you are an insect lover like me, you should invite butterflies and bees to your own garden, make your own garden an educational ground and a lovely place to enjoy all the agents of pollination.

The Rainforest Butterfly House is an ideal location for conducting research on butterflies and taking photographs of them. Let us work together to ensure the survival of butterflies by preserving and protecting their habitats.

Thank you for reading my blog!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

30th Sambali Festival 2019

By livelifeandlove on July 8, 2019

Every town or city has its annual event, either a religious, cultural, thanksgiving or a celebration of bountiful harvests. Whatever the reason, it serves the purpose of bringing town’s identity to honor our patron saint, heritage of culture and traditions. It is also a reason to get out of our daily and stressful routines to spend some time with friends and family and a hospitable practice to welcome, bond and to unite with relatives and townmates living in a foreign country.

Just like any other festival, Sambali celebrates with a series of performances and beauty pageant. Every year, our town conducts its own beauty pageant as popular inclusions.

Sambali Festival is a religious and cultural revival to commemorate Christianity of the Itawis region. It is a weeklong festival that reflects the daily life, culture, religion and history of Piat. This festival plays a prominent role in Piat’s culture and tourism.

During the festival, Piat has many fun-filled activities to engage with, including the Entrance of our Lady of Piat, Floral offering, Dance number, Little Miss Piat and Miss Piat Sambali competition, Farmer’s day, Colorful street dancing, Street parade and Marian procession to name a few….

My townmates especially those living and working overseas, I know, it could be very lonely sometimes if you missed to attend this special day but this blog of mine will feature some of the joyful moods of the people and cheerful Sambali activities during the fiesta. You can catch up and I will reach out to you hoping you’ll experience the same mood while reading my blog.

Municipal mayor of Piat, Atty. Carmelo Villacete with his wife, Beatriz and daughter, Bianca during the opening of the ”30th Sambali Festival” July 23, 2019 Piat Cagayan

Thousands of people attended the festival although, not yet known how many attendees in total. The good news, there’s no traffic congestion prevailed, there’s a smooth flow of traffic for this year 2019. Thanks to the construction of the new bypass route! The bypass is a priority project completed before the town fiesta, it’s an alternate route to divert traffic. My special thanks to Eng. James Garcia.

The mayor who vows to continue more development projects, Atty. Carmelo Villacete and wife Beatriz poses for a photograph in front of bypass, a newly developed project. The two, combining their efforts and inspiring everyone to work together for a better Piat.

It’s a bright future for the people of Piat and I’m here to share your vision. Congratulations for reaching this far! With all the changes and thriving achievements, may you continue your traditions of dedicated leadership and cultural enrichment.

Photos taken during the ”30^th Sambali Festival 2019”

Note: (This is not the full coverage of the Sambali Festival, it’s just a half of it )

Part of the festival is the ‘‘Farmer’s Day” it’s a farm bountiful harvests show featuring exhibits and parading of local agricultural crops.

Our beloved Mayor, Atty. Carmelo Villacete carrying an oversized jackfruit, the mayor of Piat who introduced modern technical in farming and fruit planting. With the help of our mayor, agriculture will surely rise and crop yields will soon increase.

What a festive feeling!

This is a unique kind of float, ”The Kuliglig Float” ( improvised vehicle) featuring Piat’s farm agricultural products.

Presentation of Little Miss Piat and Miss Piat Sambali candidates

Coronation Night Little Miss Piat 2019

Little Miss Piat 2019 Pia Joy Sagalon

Back to Little Miss Piat 2018

Little Miss Piat 2018 Sara Sammoury

My gorgeous niece, Sara Sammoury bags the title ”Little Miss Piat” last year.

Another niece of mine, Miss Piat Sambali 2019 Daphne Louise Aquino

2019 Miss Piat Pagayaya Piatrice Marie Dela Cruz

Miss Piat Sambali Candidates brought out best designs on a variety of formal evening gowns.

Sambali Street Dancing

One fun activity to be enjoyed with is the highly anticipated ” Sambali Street Dancing” this is for the students and other participants to showcase their talents. Students dressed in colorful and spectacular costumes performing choreographed tribal dance.

Dancing takes part on the street as an exhibition space for the performers to illustrate the Sambali war dance.

A traditional style entertainment scene. The street of Piat crammed with people followed by big crowds in colorful costumes beaming with so much Itawis spirit.

The most blessed part is the Marian procession, the feast day of ”Our Lady of Piat” it was an evening procession and despite the rain, many devotees flocked to the streets of Piat. Experiencing weather disturbance, rain didn’t stop but it was a peaceful walk with prayers.

Marian procession is a religious expression of Christian faith handed down by generations. Here in Piat, crowd gathered each time it is paraded through the streets of Piat during Sambali festival held annually on June 23-July 2.

Organizers of this event, devotees, the people of Piat and commuters earlier feared weather disturbance, the approaching brunt of moonsoon season might trigger and disrupt the week long activities especially the fluvial procession but it was just a fair and slight one prevailed. Rain or shine, the festival will go on.

The welcoming and entertaining Sambali festival is a huge success, Bravo! Once again, I would like to express my sincerest thanks to our beloved mayor, Atty. Carmelo Villacete and wife, Beatriz Villacete, Vice-Mayor Leonel Guzman and to everyone who participated in this year’s 30th Sambali Festival. Congratulations! My best wishes to a more successful activities in the future. Special thanks Eng. James Garcia and Mr. Benedict Sto. Tomas Big thank you for all your hard work and perseverance. Well-done!

Note: Want to be featured on my blog? Don’t hesitate. Submit your photos, I will consider any pictures related to this event 30th Sambali Festival 2019. I will add your pics here. Pls. pm me messenger or pm Elvie Baculi (FB) for more details.

Thanks for reading my blog!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

30th Sambali Festival 2019 Join us for the big day

By livelifeandlove on June 29, 2019

Many people are heading to the northern part of the Philippines, to Piat, a place where you’re really going to feel the warm welcome of the people. Come and be with ‘’Our Lady of Piat’’ Feel the warm of the festival, the people, the good food and our culture.

Join in, Enjoy the Fun and Share the Good News !

30th Sambali Festival 2019

June 23 – July 2

Piat Cagayan

Hualien Chinese Lanterns

By livelifeandlove on June 18, 2019

A good scene to start with, the most common Chinese street decorations that symbolizes vitality. The red oval-shaped Chinese lanterns on the city street of Hualien Country, Taiwan The lanterns hanging above adoring the street can be seen elsewhere during festivals in Taiwan. Here in Hualien, you’ll enjoy a lot of beautiful attractions includes everything from Taroko National Park, Qingshui Cliff, Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Changchun Temple Trail and the irresistible and appealing shopping centers and Shilin night market.

Street photos taken just a few meters around Guangfu Street and Zhongzhen Hualien Country, Taiwan

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Arcovia City Phils.

By livelifeandlove on June 5, 2019

Popeyes is back and running at full strength, it draws crowd on the first day. Famous for its Louisiana fried chicken, hundreds of people lined up to get inside when Popeyes reopened 3 weeks ago. To welcome back for the second time, this is a good news for fried chicken lovers. It was year 2000 when Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen first opened in the Philippines but was completely closed years after. The new branch located at Arcovia city, a remarkable development and spacious township rising along C-5 Pasig city and the good location just beside Landers.

Finally, big crowds showed on the first day May 16 Thursday, we came early to beat the line but to our surprise to see hundreds of people around. I was having a second thoughts about standing in line waiting for our turn for more than an hour just to get inside, the heat is on feeling exhausted with stomach growling.

Arcovia City centerpiece is Arco De Emperador, a 62 -foot-high arch monument, you’ll see this landmark beside Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

At last, long wait is over after an hour, we reached the counter, it was packed with people from every walk of life but to see more, it adds curiosity.

We were the first to occupy the decent ambiance which is the best area on the left side, it is more cozy and peaceful here according to Selina.

Popeyes series of delicious items along with more different choices.

These foods on the menu really drives me crazy! You’ll find some more favorites here; the Float, the Swirl and Sundae. Cajun our family’s favorite fries. I wish to try the Creamy Crab Soup with the Chicken Quarter Burger soon.

What I really love is the Louisiana fried chicken. Popeyes is famous for this and has always been our favorite.

Our first order, 8 PC BUNDLE B, that includes; 8 pc fried chicken, 4 rice, 4 biscuits and 4 drinks followed by more orders; 3 pc chicken tenders, spaghetti meal, box of 3 biscuits and another box of 3 assorted for take-out. Last part of the meal is the caramel sundae.

Most requested item on the menu.

A slice of heaven and 2 pc is just enough for me only. It’s a yummy crispy and tender favorite of mine! It is also available in spicy.

Crispy chicken with Ranch as my dip. They offer 4 different dips such as Ranch, Bold BBQ, Mardi Gras and Gravy which is the most common.

but still craving for more…

Caramel Sundae is just fine for me.

If you are hungry, you can’t help but to quickly grab your own…

You might as well grab a piece of biscuit with honey. It’s a breakfast and snack to crave for.

Biscuit with the Honey Sauce

This is not to be missed.

Our take-out items

Assorted box of 3 biscuits with 3 different combinations of Honey, Hazelnut and Chocolate.

Box of 3 Honey Biscuits

The best deal is the spaghetti, you’ll be calling it, ”really good”.Trust me on this one, it’s hauntingly good.

With stomach full and happy, I’m well satisfied. Singing praises, it’s worth waiting in line for.

Try it!

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Arcovia City, 9 Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City

Note: Expect a long line on weekends and long wait is a part of tasting experience.

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Taroko National Park Scenic Attractions

By livelifeandlove on May 8, 2019

Standing on the still side of Liwu river valley, it looks like a vacationer’s dream come true and reachable even in winter. The high elevation is difficult to reach but I swear, it is a rewarding trail. In fact, visitors by the thousands arrive each year to visit this place. Eternal Spring Shrine or Changchun Shrine was built in memory of the 226 workers who died on duty during the construction of Central-Cross Island Highway. With highest estimated number of deaths, it is considered as the deadliest construction in Taiwan. The spring gushing out beside the shrine formed a small waterfall and now called,”Eternal Plummeting Spring” by the directorate general of highways. Since then, the shrine has become an iconic landmark.

Another interesting feature is the place itself, Hualien is the biggest country in Taiwan and situated on the mountainous eastern coast of the island. It is the main attraction of Taroko National Park with its gorge and offers exceptionally wide variety of attractions. Taroko Gorge is the major centerpiece attraction of the whole park and a must to visit.

Getting a chance to witness this beautiful sight, when we visited this lovely place, I focused only on just the beautiful essentials because of the effort it takes to reach them and surprisingly difficult to climb, not to mention rain often pours in tremendous downpour, it’s good the water quickly subsides. Changchun Eternal Spring Shrine as the most often visited attractions and one of the top 10 wonders of Taiwan, it may leave you wanting to see more of Taroko but 5 hours is not enough to hit all the highlights around but still tourists instead flocked to see the astonishing fragment of history. All in Taroko is a reasonable standard to test your health and fitness level. Shorter trail can be completed in half day while long trails require a full day.

All the featuring picturesque views of Guanyin cave, Hilltop Bell tower, Changuang temple, the still side of Liwu river valley and Eternal Spring Shrine. A guide led nature walk and long trails that start at Jinheng bridge and continue all the way up to the stairway to heaven to find the sacred place, a remote temple in the mountain and a steep series of slippery steps upward heading onto the Eternal Spring Shrine.

Overlooking all the panoramic views with maximum excitement, this is an exciting travel destination. If you have a tour guide, it would be better to guide you along the way. The panoramic view rewards anyone who attempts to climb to the top.

To reach the main peak in elevation, it offers killing views and it is primarily designed for daytime tour.

Eternal Spring Shrine

The towering jagged cliffs, waterfalls, marble mountains and Liwu’s turquoise river formed an immeasurable charm, this is one of the most picturesque corners of Taroko Gorge.

Eternal Spring Shrine scenery owe their dramatic beauty in part to connections with the river. The river’s winding course as much as the shallow scene contributes to the wild scenic beauty.

My Taroko journey of Eternal Spring Shrine starts at Jinheng bridge to the main entrance but first, let me show you the aerial view of Jinheng bridge taken from the mountain top.

View of Jinheng bridge and Liwu river taken from the Changchun terrace.

View taken from the Changchun stairs. Bordered by high marble cliffs and white mountains, the shallow river of Liwu cut its way down through sandstone formations.

Jinheng bridge connects two marble peaks visible in all directions.

Jinheng bridge

The main entrance is the Jinheng bridge leading directly to Guanyin cave.

Guanyin Cave

Climbing the stairs heading to the top, we reached
Guanyin cave.

Passing through the Guanyin cave, it’s a dome cave, a small curved structure.

A long series of slippery steps.

There’s a Led light inside the cave, not sure because I didn’t see any motor inside…

Examining the cave inside, it was well developed.

Our first stop to offer prayers, two- minute of silence to remember all those who perished during the construction of Central-Cross Island Highway. Inside the Guanyin cave is a small temple with statues of the Buddha and Bodhisattva.
(Taoist gods)

A big hole along the passageway of the cave. Liwu river widely seen down there.

Path leading to the entrance of the second cave.

Walking beside the cave, the rocks exposed in its wall reveals a giant slice through time. Leading through the Spring Shrine, I’ve made a quick stop to view the surroundings and right beside me, a deeply eroded part of the marble mountain.

Stairs leading to the hill tower.

A flight of stairs leading down to the terrace and a slippery walk along to view such outstanding setting.

This area gives a full spot to catch a glimpse of the whole surroundings from the Liwu river valley to the elusive mountain ranges and remote jungles.

Chinese architectural influence among the special features of the inviting scenery aside from waterfalls, marble cliffs and mountains, jungle greenery, sparkling river, bell tower and temples.

Taiwan, a land of earthquakes has long been renowned for natural springs that flow through the Liwu river, it vividly conveys the meaning of its name,”Eternal Spring Shrine”

Liwu River Valley

From Guanyin cave, you can clearly see from adjacent side is the designated parking lot for the visitors. Down the Liwu river, it looks like half of the river water have dried-out, the river almost runs dry and worn away by the passage of time.

Taroko marble mountains and nearby attractions are well protected inside Taroko National Park that encompasses some of the finest beauty spots in Hualien. All attractions shown here are clearly reasons enough for visiting Taiwan.

Thanks for reading my blog! More on Taiwan, See you next post…

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