My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure | Uncategorized

The Best Places to Take Pictures of the Iconic Mt. Fuji

By on September 18, 2024

During the booking process for our trip to Japan, we planned to visit the iconic Mt. Fuji as the first tourist attraction to be visited but since arriving in Osaka, we have preferred Nara Park and nearby attractrions in the area. When we moved to Tokyo five days later, we favored visiting Mt Fuji, which is only an hour drive away from Tokyo to Chureito Pagoda Arakura Sengen Park in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, it was our primary objective anyway.

Although Japan has countless beautiful attractions, time is a prime factor that you may need to pick the best to be your first priority however, when we had our objectives met, the highlight of each day tour was the landmarks in and around Japan.

 The tallest peak in Japan, Mount Fuji, is well-known for its volcanic cone. I have taken pictures of Mount Fuji in various locations throughout Japan. It never ceases to be breathtaking and amazing from any viewpoint, even in the winter. However, it is not always visible because the clouds can sometimes obscure the view, we were fortunate on the day we visited, it was clearly visible.

Are you looking for the best spot to photograph Mt. Fuji? I will give you the best recommendations on the best places to capture the beauty of Mt. Fuji. Let me show you some photos of the Iconic Mt. Fuji taken from various locations throughout Japan.

Remarkable Pictures of Mt. Fuji Captured in Various Locations

Note:The main purpose of this blog is to share the best locations for photographing the Iconic Mt. Fuji.

Chureito Pagoda

(Perched atop a hill in Yamanashi Prefecture’s Arakurayama Sengen Park stands the five-story Chureito Pagoda)

This is the first location when I first captured the view of Mt. Fuji when we visited this pagoda. To get to the observation deck, we had to ascend 398 steps, which may seem challenging, but it was quite easy because it is winter, and the cold motivates me to succeed.

It was increasingly enjoyable to capture photos up there and climbing is worthwhile. Efforts pay off as it gets progressively better.

Fujiten Snow Resort

(Fujisan, Narusawa-Mura, Minamitsuru-Gun, Yamanashi-Ken)

Located in the Fuji Five Lakes region, Fujiten Snow Resort is a small ski resort at the northern foot of Mount Fuji. Just right in front of Mt. Fuji.

On a clear winter, the views are jaw dropping. This is the full panoramic view of Mt. Fuji against a snowy landscape, a stunning wide postcard style of Mt. Fuji captured from the observation deck.

Lake Kamaguchiko

(Yamanashi Prefecture)

Lake Kawaguchiko is the main entry point to this well-known lake, the most popular of the Fuji Five Lakes. Among the greatest locations for close-up photos of Mount Fuji, the breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji amid a landscape of water.

I also managed to get different perspectives of the mountain set against different backdrops. Additionally, the famous viewpoint with the lake in the background is the best place to take photos of Mount Fuji. Observing the ducks and their ducklings swim on water is an additional wonderful experience as well as the stunning birds that circle and wade in the sky is another amazing sight.

Every location I’ve seen and experienced in Japan. It is among the greatest locations and a top pick because it is nice and clean, safe, cozy, and serenely quiet. It should come as no surprise that a lot of tourists travel to Japan, there are just too many things to do and places to explore.

Everyday will be a different story, you’ll find an exotic charm and unexpected surprises for the visitors. We made sure to visit every destination on our itinerary, and it was rewarding to see each one in all its glory. We had a fantastic time and came home with a ton of great memories from the trip.

Wintertime Tips> Before you explore outdoors, make sure you are scout ready to load up your winter essentials

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Recipes for busy moms/Fruits/Desserts/Salad/Decorative Ideas | Restaurant Review | Shakes, Juices and Smoothies | Uncategorized

Peking Garden Serves the Best Peking Duck in the City

By on December 13, 2023

At Peking Garden Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center Makati city, we celebrated the 90th birthday of my aunt Conchita with family, relatives and close friends. The fine dining hosted for more than 50 people, we all occupied 5 round tables leaving one table for food platform. The food was served at 7:30 as guests began to arrive as early as 7 in the evening allowing time for conversation and getting to know each other.

Prayers before meals was offered to thank God for our blessings.The birthday music (Chinese version) playing in the background to match the birthday celebration.The celebration brings family members, relatives and special friends closer together on the table, not only on this occasion but to every event. All the guests elegantly dressed in red and that includes me.This kind of gathering serves as a good bonding for us, helps us to strengthen relationship and connections especially to the business group.

For family celebrations, we normally had dinner in a closed-door room to ensure our own privacy. Scent of good food surrounds us, we are surrounded by the aroma of delicious cuisine throughout the evening. No significant Chinese occasion would be considered complete without an abundance of delectable cuisine involved. There was enough food served and mouthwatering. Awesome! It was an evening with a well balanced meal that contains all necessary nutrients. It not a fatty dishes, not even hot or spicy.

The birthday menu checklist, best selection of favorites are rare treats, variety of Chinese dishes contains low in calories and fats. Obviously, an expensive choices. The soothing effect of all seafood is irresistible so with the signature dish, the ”Peking Duck” How else to explain the sight of good food that gives such a burst of appetite.The presence of more favorites gives more excitement to eat. It’a an oriental feast!

Elegant and beautiful setting

Peking Garden Restaurant

The 90th birthday of my aunt is a significant milestone in one’s life, it is frequently marked by a grand celebration. In general, the older the person the larger the celebration.

The beautiful celebrant, Aunt Conchita cutting her birthday cake.

Birthday cheers and singing the birthday song. While the guests were enjoying, the menu goes a long way creating a good mood. The assortment of food becomes the focal point here. The 12 courses meal, a selection of Chinese specialties. You can see from the menu itself. Yum! I love this food, some are my favorites…

Lively look on the table,sparkling and superb! Everything was arranged oriental style. It’s a 12 courses meal for the celebration. Lets get started,this is such a long list of courses up to 12 and one vegetable salad not on list, that makes it 13-course meal all in all!

Vegetable salad complimented the meal. The best starter going to the main course.

Birthday Misua with Shrimp and Mushroom

In Chinese culture, the custom of eating noodles are thought to bring luck and long life so, everybody must eat noodles served for longer life. My appreciation for all courses, I was trying to get a picture perfect for the first course. The first course, it’s a Birthday Misua with Shrimp and Mushroom.

The 2nd course is a Doubled-boiled Winter Melon Soup with Assorted Seafood. It is clear and tasty. Why clear? well, you don’t see any tiny floating particles, totally clean and clear! Winter melon was considered to be healthy, nourishing and cleansing to the body.

For me, a delicious soup is when you bring up the total hotness of natural flavor of seafood and vegetables.

Each round table is good for 12 guests and to every table, one Broiled-Winter Melon Soup bowl each. What a huge and heavy shell. It’s just perfect enough for 12 people. You can see the assorted seafood individual bowl down there, nourishing and full of flavor. The 4 empty wintermelon shell which serves as a serving dish for the soup.

In a small bowl, it is hot and delicious.It gives specific taste as it is appealing.

The 3rd course is Peking Duck, the restaurant signature dish. Peking duck can be prepared in a number of ways. In spite of the variety of specialties, the Peking duck still remains the favorite dish of the night.

In here, it is served two-ways, you can see below as details shown on photos and the other one is Minced duck with Fresh Lettuce.

The crispy skin of Peking Duck with a stalk of spring onion. How to wrap a Peking Duck? Click this link

Cutting the Peking duck breast in thin slices

The clever way of dividing into pieces. Thin flesh of Peking duck carefully arranged in a circular shape following the edge of the plate.

The duck flesh at the center and the crispy skin on the edge of the plate or vice versa.

Strips of Peking duck served with tortilla, stalks of spring onions and Hoisin sauce.

The whole Peking Duck is a special treat for all of us, full of flavor and deliciously fragrant. It’s addicting, once you start eating it, you just can’t stop, you want more and soon craving to eat again.

The 4th course is Deep Fried Almond Prawns.

Prawns breaded with thin almonds.The perfect match.

The 5th course is Braised Sliced Abalone with Vegetables

Pretty Oh so good! The sparkling abalone is tender and tasty. The fresh green color of the vegetables was completely preserved maintaining vegetables green color and nutritive value.

The 6th course is Whole Lapu-lapu with Scramble Egg White

Whole Lapu-lapu with Scramble Egg White served on a big oval platter, looks deliciously elegant.

The 7th course is Sauteed French Bean with Minced Garlic. The only vegetable being served aside from the salad, preserving the fresh green color, it is sweet and crisp.

The 8th course is Golden Crabs with Salted Egg

The 9th course is Minced Duck with Fresh Lettuce

The Minced duck serves with iceberg lettuce cup and Hoisin sauce. It’s an iceberg lettuce wrap.

The 10th course is Steamed Supreme Soup and Pork Dumpling.

Steamed Supreme Soup and Pork Dumpling, something that will suit your taste.

Champagne Moët & Chandon, French champagne appropriate for the event. The world’s most loved French champagne.

Cheers! Happiness and good health for everyone! Long life for aunt Conchita!

The 11th and 12th  courses are desserts; Birthday Bun and Chilled Mango Shake with Sago. I’ve missed to photographed the last one.

Sweet dessert, the Birthday Bun, What’s inside the Birthday Bun? A sweet bean paste.

This is my plate. How good is that? Always on the go for my favorite choice! My appetite grows stronger for food, after the first bite and another bite leads to another bite, there seem to be more…

Bravo ! Highlight of the evening’s entertainment was a special number,violin solo rendition by Jason Gan.( one of Aunt Conchita’s grandchildren) The audience were all quiet as excited to hear the musical piece. Jason’s twin sister a lovely girl, Daniela, check photo above beside Aunt Conchita.

Other photos taken during the celebration. You will see here all the guests who flocked to the elegant and fabulous evening gathering; family members, relatives and special friends. It was a celebration full of laughter and excitement. The birthday treat is a blessing and sign of thoughtfulness. Thank you so much aunt Conchita!

Peking Garden Restaurant  specializes in authentic Chinese cuisine. When we have celebrations, we usually host them here, we are frequent customers at this restaurant, whatever dish was ordered, it was always excellent and the ambiance made you feel comfortable while dining.

I’d like to give a round of applause to all foods served on the list item. I would like to thank the chefs for all the dishes that are offered. Congratulations and Best wishes!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure | Uncategorized

Before and After Renovation – Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat

By on October 15, 2023

Initially, this is the old picture of Our Lady of Piat Basilica taken 6 years ago.

The new facade of Our Lady of Piat Basilica

Heralding the modernity and passage of art, many view this impressive architectural design. The new face of Our Lady of Piat Basilica has transformed into a modern revival of a classical Romanesque architecture.

The overall view before and after the renovation Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat

The entry door of Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat

Note: I took these photos when I returned home to attend the town festival.

The Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat is one of the twenty-one Basilicas in the Philippines. Northern Luzon’s most visited church and a pilgrimage site located in Piat, Cagayan (Philippines) It is best known for housing the 16th century statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary along being known as the “Black Virgin Mary” due to its dark- brownish skin.

 This Marian image is the Patroness of the province and the Mother of Cagayan. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees  flocked to the Basilica, believing in its miracles and many impossible wishes were fulfilled.

Note: 

I’m from Piat. I mentioned this in my previous blog, “My hometown, my birthplace Piat Cagayan.” My hometown Piat is a small but peaceful town that combines natural beauty, culture, and tradition. This small town is an ideal place for people to live in harmony with the beauty of nature…  

Writing about my hometown is part of my dedication and these are the moments I remember most while I was there. For me, it is the most authentic way to bring back a piece of homeland, I mean the most beautiful way to recall memories.

Thank you for reading my blog!

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

Stunning Mating Butterflies

By on October 15, 2020

Seeing the monarch butterflies, my first morning guests, mating was a lovely surprise. You’ve probably never seen something like this before—a mass migration of insects.

Take a closer look of my macro subject, this is a rare shots you need to see at least once.

Attempting a few close-ups will make every flaw visible, as well as making the butterflies look much bigger than they actually are.

Okay, guys! Until my next post, take care! I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog.

Take care and Goodnight

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