Ironwulf.net: En Route – The Philippines, Travel, Photography Blog

Surprisingly, the endless stream of people didn’t bother me at all. My sight was fixated at the cone-shaped stupa piercing the sky. The afternoon light strikes its slab of gold layers making it shimmer magnificently under the sun. I am humbled by the towering presence of the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred, the most ancient and the 2^nd oldest Buddhist pagoda not only in Burma but all over the world. Surrounding the main stupa are numerous mini stupas, shrines, pavilions and prayer halls that it’s easy to get lost on the platform on a hill and be overwhelmed by the many details.

A 360-degree panorama of Singapore’s modern city and nearby land areas of Malaysia and Singapore unfolded in front of our eyes as our capsule steadily soar high up the giant steel wheel known as the Singapore Flyer. Modern skyscrapers spread out like a rise and fall of a 3D chart and portions of some reclaimed areas promised more structures which from the looks of it came from an architect’s sci-fi dreams. It was mid-day but the view was impressive, how much more if it was late afternoon when the city starts to light-up under the twilight cloak.

The afternoon spent chasing waterfalls has gone. After seeing Portabaga, Macatel and Mabnang Falls it’s time to head back to Claveria. We know the town shuts down early so we had to get back to catch the eateries in the evening. It was a timely arrival in front of our inn as the sun was about to set over the distinct landmark of Lakay-lakay, a legendary group of rock formations at Taggat Lagoon clearly seen from the beach of Claveria. Among the delighted crowd playing along the waves of Claveria Beach, I remember the tale Mang Bong told us about Apo Lakay-lakay during our Parambolan feast.

It’s a funny thing since I’ve been to Bohol several times but I never got to see the Chocolate Hills from that famous view deck in Carmen, Bohol. So l let myself be a tourist for the day. Joining in a bus load of media people who hosted and participated on the Survivor Challenge and get led like a flock of sheep around some of Bohol’s touristy side.

Singapore probably has the most number of malls I’ve seen in a City. Make that on a city I have been to. If one would go on a trip for shopping, Singapore definitely has it. Especially on sale seasons when foreign visitors get even more bargains than the locals. Heck, Singapore currently holds one flagship National Geographic Store in Vivo Mall (soon in Kuala Lumpur) that made me drool when I got in. I’m not really a mall person but Singapore malls are interesting places aside from shopping.

Pardon my indulgence as I become a casual tourist on this post. I know there are probably thousands of Merlion photos in the web. It’s just that the first time I went to Singapore, I never got to see the Merlion Statue as it was hidden behind walls on its regular maintenance shower. The 2nd time around I was too busy to go there so it was only on my recent visit that I get to take photos of Marina Bay and Merlion Park with the Merlion there.