Manila Bay sunset/SWF

Sunset sky at Manila Bay on Thursday, October 18th.

Ancient poets and sages have called the earth the mother of all things. They could hardly have chosen a more attractive name, or one that was more appropriate. From her lap springs everything that possesses life and motion, everything that flourishes, fades, and has its fated day, and she tirelessly provides material for the countless varied bodies that are created --- and then abandoned --- by the life force in its unending, hidden progress through nature. ~ Jonas Hallgrimsson

While we cry ourselves to sleep, gratitude waits patiently to console and reassure us; there is a landscape larger than the one we can see. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Splashes/Water World-Wednesday

Splashing waves @ Baywalk, Manila Bay

It's been stormy and all of Metro Manila and nearby provinces are in a standstill due to incessant rains that caused  massive flooding.  Strong waves from Manila Bay  spawned by typhoon "Gener" (international name:  Saola) pounded the seawall and flooded Roxas Boulevard with saltwater. These were taken a week before "Gener" arrived.

Don't you realize that the sea is the home of water?  All water is off on a journey unless it's in the sea, and it's homesick, and bound to make its way home someday. ~ Zora Neale Hurston

Linking to Kim's Water World Wednesday

Moon-gazing/SWF

Moon-gazing in March under the MoA Eye.  This brought me back to the summer nights of my childhood--riding the Ferris Wheel at the fair during a town fiesta.  Eating rice cakes under the full moon at the plaza, hoping a certain boy would smile at me.

How many more times you will watch the full moon rise?  Perhaps twenty.  And yet it all seems limitless. 
~ Paul Bowles

Linking to Sky-Watch Friday

Monsoon sunset/SWF

Monsoon season brings not only heavy rainfall, strong winds and humid afternoons but also mild sunsets.  I was at the baywalk one afternoon last week as the sun quietly slipped into the horizon without the usual fiery display.

"Live each season as it passes; breath the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Manila Bay, Philippines

Linking to Sky-watch Friday

Baywalk sunset/SWF

A mellow sunset from the Baywalk at the Mall of Asia last week.  A nice break from the monsoon rains and tropical storms we are currently having.  Rain eventually poured after dinner.

Forming and breaking in the sky,

I fancy all shapes are there;

Temple, mountain, monument, spire;

Ships rigged out with sails of fire,

And blown by the evening air...

~ J.K. Hoyt

Join sky-watchers from around the world @ Sky-Watch Friday

Photo Hunt/Zap and Advertising

Cine Corregidor in Corregidor Island zapped by Japanese bombardments during World War II.   Corregidor is one of the most important historic and tourist sites in the Philippines.

 An inflated advertising balloon at an event in the Mall of Asia.  Too much of this liquor can zap the brain cells and one's common sense.

 

Posting for two Photo-Hunts today---ZAP  for Sandy's Saturday Photo-Hunt and ADVERTISING for Gattina's Photo-Hunt.  Join us!

Fountain by the Bay/Water World Wednesday

This past week was a scorcher.  I didn't go out of town for the 4-day holiday to avoid traffic, crowded terminals, ports and airports.  The Mall of Asia reopened on Black Saturday and we decided to have dinner there after I bought plane tickets for a late April trip.  Behind the mall, SM By the Bay was very crowded.  People were catching breezes from Manila Bay, dining at seafood restaurants, watching street performers, enjoying the rides, binging on junk food or just hanging out by the seawall. 

Fritz enjoyed all the attention as he strutted around the park.  By 9 o'clock, both Fritz and my mother were exhausted.

As always, I gravitated towards the fountain---it's a popular spot to cool off on hot and humid nights.  And as usual, I forgot to check my camera settings.:p

Linking to Water World Wednesday hosted by Kim

Mall of Asia Eye/Blue Monday

The Mall of Asia Eye as colors changed to blue on Saturday night.  This 55-meter (180 feet) tall Ferris Wheel was opened to the public in December 2011.  It's the tallest Ferris Wheel in the Philippines, with 36 air-conditioned gondolas, each able to carry up to 6 persons.  I haven't tried it yet.:p

 

Linking to Blue Monday

Tempura and rice

@ mirandablue

It was a crowded Saturday evening at the Mall of Asia when I met my friend G.  Restaurants and fast-food joints were full.  We walked around a little bit looking for a place that would serve food fast.

@ mirandablue

G had been to a kiddie party,  while I skipped lunch and drove all the way from Pasig to Filinvest-Alabang then MoA.  

I was almost hallucinating when we finally got a table at Tokyo Cafe.

G and I shared a mango-chicken salad and  I got my hot and creamy corn soup.  I needed rice--and fast! But I couldn't concentrate on the menu and ordered the first thing that came to mind---tempura and rice. Good thing the service was efficient--or H-U-N-G-R-Y was written all over my face. I wolfed down the tempura and rice like there was no tomorrow!

@ mirandablue

Join foodies at Food Trip Friday

Beef with broccoli

Beef with broccoli at the Hong Kong Emperor Seafood Restaurant in Mall of Asia

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Blue moon [Sky-Watch Friday]

Happy New Year to you! I hope you remember something from last night's party...uh, nothing? You obviously had a great time! Sorry to hear about your hangover...drink lots of water. If you can make it to the kitchen, make yourself some banana shake, and stay away from caffeine.

No, this is not last night's blue moon. This is the iconic giant globe at the Mall of Asia called Globamaze. This 26 feet diameter steel framed globe is the first and only full global video display in Asia with high resolution and full display graphics made possible by the LED's 26,300 pieces of point lights. It's weather-proof, and yes, a visual feast.

Not a heavenly body but this is what I saw when I looked at the sky at MoA. I hope this qualifies for Sky-Watch.

26-foot diameter Globamaze

my god-daughter, Bea--the world at the palm of her hand

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Manila Bay moments [Sky-Watch, Friday]

One of nature's masterpieces---the sunset at Manila Bay. I was on chill patrol when the western horizon was brilliantly illuminated by this beautiful sunset. An exhilarating view from the water's edge, we were all dazzled by it's glowing tranquility.

a group of girls enjoying the sunset

"Because the moments spent there, that take your breath away, are what make you feel truly alive." ~ Stacey Charter waiting...

and finally, meeting at sunset

  Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Floaters [Watery and Outdoor Wednesday]

Walking along San Miguel by the Bay after dinner one weekend, we passed by a crowded area with lots of children and their parents queuing to I-don't-know-what. When I inspected the railing, I saw these giant balloons floating in the pool with a kid inside. The kids in the balloons seem to enjoy it, bouncing around, diving, landing on their faces, attempting to stand but couldn't. Parents were snapping photos of their youngsters having a ball. My sister wanted to try it, but the gate-keeper told us it's only for kids. Does a kid-at-heart not allowed to have some inflated fun? :p

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday