My Blogspheric World...is coming very soon!

My mother portal is getting a facelift...
an extreme makeover!

Watch out for this...it is getting better

and you will be part of it!

Ulster Museum... the window on our living world

Snorkeling in Coral Garden, Batangas (Philippines)

AT LAST I WAS ABLE TO USE MY NEW GADGET, OLYMPUS u850w camera which allows me to take both images and video 3 meters under water. During my recent visit to Puerto Galera (Batangas), Philippines - southwest of Metro Manila and 5 hours ( bus and ferry), I finally tested the waterproof feature of Olympus capturing the under water scenery of Coral Garden.

I was here in this beach town 9 years ago and I was stunned on how the community transformed it into a lively and localised tourist destination (alternative to the commercial atmosphere of Boracay) for short holidays. As usual, I stayed in White Beach (northeast of Sabang) and for the first time I explored Coral Garden for 3 hours (spent almost 18 sterling pounds, 33 US dollars).

One of the video clips taken from the camera as well.

Coral Garden is only a small area of coral reefs, few minutes away from White Beach. The corals are not really stunning but it is worth seeing it and watching different types of small fish waiting to be fed!

Giant's Causeway - Revisited

I AM NOT A GEOLOGIST BUT I have basic knowledge and understanding of land and rock formations. No need to browse a text book or an online source to have a full grasp of this stunning rock form located in Northern Ireland (UK) being maintained by the National Trust. This is commonly known as the Giant's Causeway which is declared in 1986 as one of UNESCO's heritage sites.

The Giant's Causeway is formed by a volcanic eruption, creating a pattern of more than 40,000 hexagonal shape rocks, uniformly-laden along the coast. There is also a legend about this formation which astonishes everyone and which builds up everyone's curiousity to find out more about it. While walking towards the main attraction, you could find interesting rock features such as: the camel, the granny, wishing chair, chimney tops, giant's boot and the organ (music). Well, can you find them from the pictures below?

My first visit to this heritage site was in 2006 during a chilly and windy day. After three years, I decided to see it again and the feeling was magical as if these rocks are inviting me to touch their smooth black surfaces under the heat of the sun!

Visiting the site during spring and summer time is something not to be missed while in Northern Ireland - the birthplace of Titanic!

Some of the images taken during the coastal trip, including the hanging rope bridge (some of the photos were taken by my Irish friend).

The best job in the world - the applicant

I AM ONE OF THE APPLICANTS for the job. The clip below is my passport for the job and hopefully be selected in the top 50 candidates. Watch the video and support my quest. If I will be selected, it entails travelling to Australia and around the Great Barrier Reef and my eTravelDiary will be the first to know my daily activities during the final selection process. Wish me luck!

Please CLICK here to watch again and vote. Thanks for your support!

A glimpse of paradise in the Philippines

One of the islets in my home country. Crista de Gallo is located in the central part of the Philippines, in the Province of Romblon. Situated within the town of San Fernando, just 5-6 hours away (by motorboat) from the famous beach of Boracay, Aklan. The images were taken during my last visit in 2007.

The short clip is showing the white sand and crystal clear water ... a place that everyone is dreaming for a perfect holiday destination!

Welcome to the Philippine islands! See you soon...

Snapshots of my summer break in Rome and Florence

Some of the photos taken during my visit in Italy in June 2008. Highlights of the trip include the visit to Rome's finest tourist attractions: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Piazza Navona, The Colosseum, Roman Forum, St Peter's Square, Palatino, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) and many others.

In Florence, must-see places include: Piazza del Duomo, Campanile, The Baptistery, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, The Ponte Vecchio (busiest bridge market street), and Michelangelo's masterpiece, David (replica) in Piazza Signoria (fronting Bargello Museum), and the Galleria degli Uffizi. Unfortunately, I was not able to get inside the Leonardo da Vinci museum due to long queue of people! Well, there are always reasons why I have to go back to Florence and enjoy its art and culture.

Picos de Europa - Asturias (Spain)

I LOVE OUTDOORS to capture the uniqueness and borderless nature of our Mother Earth. I don't know but walking in a rugged terrain or slippery flat grasses gives me a different feeling - the adrenalin to explore Nature and able to understand its origin, shape, color, texture and composition.

My first visit to Spain was overwhelming considering that the country had a historical significance to the Philippines. I am lucky to have a Spanish friend who is hospitable enough to accommodate me and two of my other friends and toured us around Madrid and the northern part of the country, Asturias. Just a quick trivia, our Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal did pursue his study in medicine and learned fencing as a sport in Madrid.

Asturias is one of the provinces that Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe) is situated. Considered as the Spanish Alps, it is almost 5 hours to reach this place (by car) from Madrid. The main attraction of these summits is accessible by cable cars from the foot of Fuente de. Fuente de is located 1.5 hours away from where we stayed in Cangas de Onis.

Picos de Europa's attraction is not comparable to other mountain treks that I have done in the past. It has different appeal to me which I love to go back again and be at the middle of these white granite rock mountains. The scissors-blade-like peaks provide an illusion that they touch the limitless blue sky.

There are several trails to choose from and there is a hotel at the middle of the wilderness if anyone prefers to stay overnight or for a few days and explore other long walk trails. From the landing area (viewing deck and restaurant) of the cable cars at the top of the mountain provides an excellent panoramic view (landscape) of the neighbouring lowlands of Fuente de.

Summer Break in Italy: Day 1 - Arrival

After a final check of the important things to be brought during my 6-day trip, I was relaxed and not harassed thinking that I might forget something valuable which jeopardise my trip. Having 16 kg check-in bag and one hand carry for my laptop, I was ready to go and looking forward to meeting the Pope in Vatican and David in Florence! My friend was accommodating enough to drive me to the airport, almost 45 minutes drive from the university. My Aer Lingus flight was on time (1530 departure time) and after 2.5 hours on air, the plane finally landed at the Da Vinci Airport. It was not a busy Friday night (past 7pm, 2 hours advance from UK time)) and the waiting time in the immigration area was tolerable. Not impressed with the existing condition of the airport, especially the dim effect of the lighting to the old floorings.

The airport security was helpful enough to give me the direction to the train station. It took me 5-7 minutes to reach the Leonardo Express service – one hour trip to the city centre of Rome via Roma Termini for 11 Euros (almost £10) per trip. The ticket express expires 90 minutes after validation. I did buy my return ticket as well just to save time from queuing in the central rail station.

In few minutes time, the train arrived and I managed to settle inside the carriage after a 28 degrees C exposure and the feeling of disorientation from being a non-Italian speaking tourist. The train is quite long and have enough space for the luggage with average air conditioning system. The seats were fine and comfortable for the short journey to the city comparable to local journeys in Northern Ireland or going to Dublin from Belfast. The landscape along the railway is a typical European setting with open green fields and few structures. It is noticeable however that there are high rise residential buildings along the railway and not to ignore the interesting graffitis on the concrete barrier walls.

The train finally reached its destination, the main central bus/train/metro station, Roma Termini. It is a huge station which also accommodates regional travels in the major European cities, including the city's mass transport, Metro which occupies the lowest floor of the station. The station looks like a shopping centre with major retail shops and restaurants accessible for locals and tourists.

As soon I stepped out from the train, my left hand was busy clicking my Sony digital camera for souvenir shots of the station. It was almost past 9pm but it was still bright to find my way out for Hostel Beautiful 2.

Honestly, I was not impressed with the surroundings. Not much of running cars, but there is a significant number of scooters/bicycles and cars everywhere – both sides of the narrow streets. The air is clean (as I could not find black particles settled inside my nose) but frankly, I could compare the Rome's atmosphere to some parts of the Philippine cities, except for the architecture of the buildings and its overall urban form – its historical significance to early civilisation. I felt at home really considering that the road orientation is similar to the Philippines, left hand driving. I was disoriented for a little while in crossing the streets adjusting from Northern Ireland/UK's right-handed driving.

I have all the printed materials for the hostel direction, but it took me more than 30 minutes of walking to find the hostel location. I am an Urban/city Planner and love maps but I hate to think that I am not expert in navigation and maybe I have to carry a GPS gadget or the popular "tomtom"unit used in driving in my future trips (hehehe). I might be a good idea in my next Europe trip!

I did ask directions for several people along the way and it was strange to imagine that the local people were not good navigators too which added to my frustrations. The other reasons why it was difficult to find the hostel was that, it does not have a big billboard or street sign of its own, aside from the odd-even street number arrangement. The hostel is located within the row of residential-shop buildings. In other words, the hostel is an ordinary tenant sharing a the main entrance door (including intercom) with other occupiers of the building.

Anyway, I found it after a tiring walk. The staff on-duty was happy enough to get my personal details which will be reported to the Italian police for security/safety reason. He also talked about the facilities available in the hostel, including possible siteseeing directions using the metro and bus. Frankly, the hostel is strategically located in the city – accessible for all types of transport, shopping and dining. After the documentation, I finally settled to my room, ready for my second day in Rome!

Summer Break in Italy: Pre-departure

This is my first trip in 2008 after my Xmas vacation in Canada and the US.

As a prelude of my diary, just briefly explain my university life. I really need this break after so many things happening in my work and personal life, including my health condition – suffering from a shoulder pain which forced me to attend physiotherapy session for several occasions. I am struggling to move on with my research after several revisions of the techniques to be employed in my PhD research. After working on it for more than 2 years, it seems that it is endless negotiations with my supervisors on what to do for the rest of the remaining months of my program which is due in October. Hopefully, I will be approved for extension for 6 months, so I can submit my thesis by April 2009. With this 6-day trip to Italy could somehow unwind and revitalise my enthusiasm to write, have direct focus on what to do and move on to completion of my PhD program.

As a preparation for this trip, I have to secure the necessary requirements for the Italian visa or the Schengen visa (entry to EU members, except UK and Ireland). Generally, for non-EU citizens and living in Northern Ireland, the visa is issued in Edinburgh which takes 3 weeks to process via the Consulate General in Belfast. An appointment with the Consulate General to assess the application and will be forwarded to Edinburgh office.

The supporting documents for the visa applications are follows: valid passport, ID photo, confirmed flight and accommodation details, letter from the university and current bank statement.

There several choices to book the flight on-line from Belfast to Rome. The flights are offered by Easyjet, Ryanair, Bmi and Aer lengus. I chose Aer Lengus (Irish carrier) having a direct flight to Rome from Belfast International Airport. Ryanair is much cheaper but needs to depart from Dublin and it will requires me to have an Irish visa! Aer Lengus started their new hub (central office) in Belfast late last year after so many years of operation in Dublin. In terms of accommodation, I decided to book with Hostelworld.com and luckily I got affordable places to stay (both in Rome and Florence) for the whole duration of the trip. My flights and accommodations were sorted out prior to my visa application. Finally, I got my visa 2 days prior to my departure, after calling the Embassy for updates to ensure that I have it a day before my departure and granted with one entry and limited days to stay.